REPORTS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEES 

APPOINTED TO MAKE SUITABLE ARRANQEMKNTS FOR 
BRINOINO ON FROM MEXICO THE 

BODIES OF THE OFFICERS 



NEW YORK REGIMENT OP VOLUNTEERS. 

AJJD TO PREPARE AND PRESENT 

MEDALS 

TO THE 

NEW YORK REGIMENT OF VOLUNTEERS. 

ALSO TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 

RECEPTION 

OF THE 

FIRST REGIMENT OF NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, 

ON THEIR RETURX FR09I MEXICO. 



NEW YORK: 

McSPEDON fc BAKER, PRINTEKS, 26 PINE STREET 

1850. 



\.0. 









w 



KKPORT OF TKK COMMITTKK 

AfPOIXTED TO MAKE »'.'rTAM.E AaKA'TSnCETtS 

BODIES OF THE OFFICERS OF THE N, Y VOLUrnTERS 

F K. O 31 II E X I C O : 

WITH THE 

FUNERAL CEREMONIES 

OBsCbVKD O.V THE OCCAMO.V OF THEIR IXTEBMENT. 



At a iiieetiDg of the Board of AldermeD, held on the 
25th October, 1847, Alderman Purser presented the fol- 
lowing preamble and resolutions, viz : 

Whereas, Lieut. Coloxel Baxter and Lieut. Chand- 
ler have nobly fallen in the discharge of their doty, 
after gallantly sustaining, in many hard fought bailies, 
the glory of the American arms and the honor of their 
country ; therefore, 

Resolved, That while testifying our gratitude and admi- 
ration for the chivalry evinced by these sons of our favored 
city, we deeply condole with the bereaved relations and 
friends of those struck down in the hour of victorv. 



Resolved, Tliul a ComDiittee ol lIucc be appoinlcd to 
confer with similar Committees from military companies, 
with a view of making suitable arrangements for bringing 
on the corpse of the illustrious soldiers to the city of their 
birth. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, duly authen- 
ticated, be sent to the relations of the deceased. 

Which were unanimously adopted, 

And Aldermen Purser, Dodge and De Forest, appoint- 
ed such Committee on the part of this Board. 

And directed to be sent to the Board of Assistants for 
concurrence. 

On the first of November, the above resolutions were 
unanimously concurred in by the Board of Assistants, 
and Messrs. Allen, Schultz and Robertson, appoint- 
ed as the Committee on the part of that Board. 

The Committee thus empowered, met from time to time, 
and after some delay, finally resolved upon the appoint- 
ment of Mr. Alexander S. Forbes, who personally solic- 
ited the agency, and who produced strong recommendations 
to the Committee from the Baxter Blues, who communica- 
ted freely with the chairman. 

Your Committee procured, from the Department of War 
at Washington, all the necessary papers appertaining to a 
mission of this kind, and furnished with full credentials 



and every power to further the object in view, the agent 
proceeded on his errand of humanity on tlie 29th day of 
January last, by the overland route to New Orleans, where 
he arrived on the 9th of February, from which city he pro- 
ceeded on the 20th, to Vera Cruz, where, on the 1st of 
March, at the castle of San Juan, he found the bodies of 
Colonel . Baxter, and Captains Pearson and Van 
Olinda. From Vera Cruz, Mr. Forbes proceeded to the 
city of Mexico, from which place, under date of 6th of 
May, lie addressed the followinif dispatch, which the Com- 
mittee regret to state is the only one ever received by 
them. 

San Angel, near City of Mexico. ) 
May 6th, 1848. S 

Dear Sir : 

I have no douht you think strange of not hearing 
from me long since, but as my mission was not fulfilled, 
and I could not say definitely when it would be, I consid- 
ered it as well to wait until this time. 

On my arrival in Vera Cruz, 26th February, I immedi- 
ately commenced searching for the bodies. Colonel Bax- 
ter, and the other officers, by calling on Captain Patrick, 
whom Colonel Burnett informed your Committee and 
myself, had charge of them, and had promised to send 
them to New York. Upon making known my business to 
Capt. P., he was surprised, and said he knew nothing of 
them, nor had he promised or spoken to Colonel Burnett 
on the subject, but at the same time proffered his assistance 
to me. In a few days I traced them out and had them 
properly taken care of until I ajn ready to return. 



6 

Upon enquiry, I found lliat llic bodies of Captain Burke 
and Lieutenant Morris, had been sent or taken home 
by their brother officers attached to their respective regi- 
ments. 

I remained in Vera Cruz to wait for the train from the 
city of Mexico to arrive, having understood the body of 
Lieutenant E. Chandler would be with it, and upon its 
arrival, finding such not to be the case, immediately made 
preparations to proceed to the city, and arrived here the 
21st instant, after a long and tedious march of twenty-four 
days. I here found your letters in relation to the bod}^ of 
Captain Barclay, and acted according to order. I am 
now ready to return, and shall by the first train, which I 
am in hopes Avill leave here in five or six days, as I am 
anxious to get home. I feel sorry I have been detained so 
long, more on your account, and only hope you may have 
still remained in the Common Council for the purpose of 
carrying out your views in regard to the reception of the 
remains. 

I have been very kindly received, and (nery attention 
offered me by officers and others attached to the army, and 
assign it more particularly to this reason : that the high 
position our gallant regiment hold in the minds of all such, 
serves but to make each anxious to see who can do the 
most to second the wishes of your Honorable Body in your 
patriotic efforts to respect their dead — and although proud 
as I am of my position as an agent of the empire city in 
this business, I feel more proud of them — it almost leads 
to envy. I believe every New Yorker would be the same 
were he here to see and listen to tJie respect paid, and en- 



coniiums showered upon our noble representatives, by all 
belonging to the army ; they arc considered a band of In- 
vincibles. 

I sUall write immediately upon my arrival in New Or- 
leans, andean then say when will lie tlie most likely finu^ 
of my getting to New York. 

With great respect, 

I remain, truly yours, 



ALEXANDER S. FORBES. 



To Geo. H. Purser, Esq., 
Alderman Fourth Ward. 



After the organization of the new Common Coimcil, in 
May, the Committees were re-organized by the appoint- 
ment of the following persons. 

On the part of the Board of Aldermen : 

Aldermen De Forest, Dodge, Gray, Smith, Downing, 
and the President of the Board. 

And on the part of the Assistants : 

Messrs. Schultz, Franklin, Brenan, Getty and Pax- 
ton, with the President of that Board. 

The first information which the Committee received from 
their agent, was of a truly melancholy character, and 
which was conveyed to them by the following letter, ad- 
dressed to the brother of Mr. Forbes. 



New Orleans, June 22, 1848. 

Dear Sir : — It becomes my painful duty to inform you 
of the death of your brother, Mr. A. S. Forbes, which un- 
fortunate event occurred at two o'clock, on the morning of 
the 20th inst. 

I arrived in this city on the night of the 17th, and hear- 
ing that Alexander was in the city, I called on him im- 
mediatel}', and found him complaining of sea-sickness, as 
he supposed, but which I was immediately satisfied was at 
best bilious fever. I immediately called in Dr. Head and 
Dr. McCoRMiCK, of the army, who prescribed for him. — 
Dr. M. pronouncing his disease, black vomit. He rallied 
very much, and both physicians said he would probably 
recover. In the mean time I had procured a first rate 
nurse, and had sent for Mr. Bogert, (his friend) who at- 
tended him until he died. On the night of the 20th, a 
change took place for the worse, which terminated his life 
in a few hours. 

We have the body placed in a leaden coffin, and I shall 
start at five o'clock to-day, for New-York, via Sandusky 
and Bufi'alo, with all the bodies. 

Your friend, 

R. M. FLOYD, 

Lieut. N. Y. V. 

Thus terminated the earthly career of one, whose pros- 
pects in life were bright, leaving a wife and child to mourn 
over the loss of a protector and father, and a large circle 
of friends to lament the privation of one of their dearest 
associates. Intrusted in life with the mission of restoring 



9 

the remains of llie lamented dead to tlieir living relatives 
and friends, he returned united to them in bonds which 
can only be severed when the " corruptible must put on 
incorruption, and the mortal must put on immortality." 

The intelligence in relation to the death of our friend 
having been verified by telegraphic dispatches, the Com- 
mittee hastened their preparation for the reception of the 
remains, and at noon, on the 4th of July, they received 
information that the bodies were on their way down the 
Hudson river, per the Alida, and might be expected at three 
o'clock. They immediately made the necessary prepara- 
tion, and after the arrival of the boat, the bodies, under the 
escort of the Baxter Blues, preceded by the Committee, 
aiuid the noise and confusion incident to the celebration of 
the day, formed a mournful procession to the arsenal yard, 
whicli had been hastily prepared for their reception, where 
under a sable canopy, and covered with a pall of their 
country's Hag, they were placed by the Committee in 
charge of the Baxter Blues as a Guard of Honor, which 
from that time until tlie day of the funeral, guarded with 
devotion the remains of their late commandant, and his 
heroic associates, refusing relief from their patriotic duty, 
though often tendered by other military companies and 
associations. 

The remains were afterwards placed at the disposal of 
Mr. Isaac H. Brown, Sexton of Grace Church, who had 
been employed by the Committee to superintend the pre- 
paration of the bodies for interment. They were separately 
removed from the casings which surrounded them on their 
arrival, and placed in the coffins prepared for their recep- 



lion, W'hon they were re-anani>ed under the canopy, on 
trestles, and hiid in state, for the visits of the public — a 
multitude of whoni visited the arsenal to view the melan- 
choly preparation. 

The Committee would embrace the present opportunity 
to notice with commendation the efficient services of Mr. 
Brown, and their approval of his official and gentlemanly 
conduct throughout the whole time of his intercourse with 
them. 

The Committee w^ould tender their thanks to Lieut. 
Robert M. Floyd, for the speedy and careful manage- 
ment of the agency after he had been so providentially 
intrusted with its care. 

To the owners and agents of the steamer Lafayette, on 
the Mississippi. 

To Messrs. Mudge & Wilson, of the St. Charles' Hotel, 
at New Orleans, for their care of the late Mr. Forbes, dur- 
ing his last and fatal illness. 

To the Presidents and Directors of the railroads on the 
route, who refused remuneration for the conveyance of the 
remains of the lamented dead ; and 

To Captain Stone, of the steamboat Alida, for the like 
service in conxcying the remains from Albany to this city. 

The final arrangements having been perfected, the Com- 
mittee proceeded in the discharge of their melancholy 
duty, as hereafter detailed. 



11 



ORDER OF PROCESSION, 

WITH THE 

CEREMOXIES AND INCIDENTS AT THE FUNERAL SOLEMNITIES 

IN HONOR OF THE 

GALLANT OFFICERS 

OF THE 

FIKST REGIMENT OF NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, 

WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES IN THE PERFORIMANCE OF 
UirriES REQUIRED BY THEIR COUNTRY, 

IN MEXICO. 



TIIP; MILITARY PARADED IN PURSUANCE OF THE FOLLOWIKC. 

ORDERS: 

FIRST DIVISION— N. Y. STATE MILITIA. 



DIVISION ORDERS. 



New York, July 6, 1848. 

The Major General announces to the Division the arri- 
val of the remains of a number of our fellow-soldiers, who 
.sacrificed tiieir lives in the service of our country, in the 
late brilliant campaign in Mexico. 
2 



12 

The bodies of llie lanicntcd and gallant Lieut. Col. 
Baxter, who fell when leading his regiment to victory at 
the Garita of Mexico, after the storming of Chapultepec ; 
Captain Pearson, who was killed at Chapultepec ; Lieut. 
Chandler, avIio was killed in the battle of Churubusco ; 
Captain Barclay and Lieut. Gallagher, who died from 
exposure and sickness during the campaign, and of Lieut. 
Forbes, who lost his life while bringing back to us these 
honored remains, — are now waiting the last honors which 
we can pay to the memory of the glorious dead. 

Ill conjunction with the Mayor and Common Council 
of our city, who have caused these precious relics to be re- 
stored to us, the division will unite in the ceremonials ap- 
propriate to this solemn event, on Wednesday next, the 
12th of July instant. 

The Fourth Brigade, under tbe command of Brigadier 
Gen. Ewen, will form the Funeral Escort. The line will 
be formed in Canal street, with the left on Broadway, at 
one o'clock, p. m. 

Gen. Ewen will also receive and assign to appropriate 
stations, such corps as may be desirous to unite with us on 
the occasion, from our sister city of Brooklyn, and also any 
entire companies from the other brigades of this division, 
which may desire to parade as part of the escort. 

'i'he ofTicers of the first, second and third brigades, 
and those of the division staff, are requested to assemble 
in full uniform, (di^))iountcd) with the usual badges of 
mourning, in front of the City Hall, at one o'clock p. m., 
precisely, for the purpose of uniting in tlie procession. 



13 

'Y\w roininaiulaiUs of the regiments ordered on duty will 
send their standards and camp colors to the Cit}' Hall, on 
Monday next, for the purpose of receiving the usual badges 
of mourning. 

Gen. Ewkn will detail suitable detachments to act as 
Guards of Honor to the respective remains, during the pro- 
cession, and until their interment. 

Brig. Gen. Hall will order a troupe of horse to parade 
for Guard and Escort duty, to report to Brig. Gen. Ewen, 
at one o'clock, in Canal street, on the day of the proces- 
sion. 

Brig. Gen. Morris will order a detachment of artillery 
to fire minute guns, during the procession, from Washing- 
ton parade ground. 

By order of 

CHARLES W. SANDFORD, 
Major General Commanding. 

R. C. Wetmore, Division Inspector. 



FOURTH BRIGADE— N. Y. STATE MILITIA. 



BRIGADK ORDERS. 



New York, July 8, 1848. 

The Brigadier General announces that arrangements 
have been made by the Common Council of this city, to 
render appropriate honors to the remains of Lieut. Col. 



14 

Baxter, Capt. Pearson, Capt. Barclay, Lieuts. Chand- 
ler and Gallagher, who fell a sacrifice in the service of 
their country, in the Mexican campaign, and Lieut. 
Forbes, who lost his life while bringing to us these hon- 
ored remains. 

In pursuance of such arrangements, and division orders 
of the 6th inst., this Brigade will form the Funeral Escort. 

The brigade line will be formed in Canal street, on 
Wednesday next, the 12th inst., at one o'clock p. m., with 
the left on Broadway. Col. H. G. Stebbins, of the Twelfth 
Regiment, will detail the company of Baxter Blues, Capt. 
Ayres, as a Guard of Honor to the body of Lieut. Col. 
Baxter, who formerly commanded said company, and 
Lieut. Forbes, late a member thereof. Col. R. C. Mor- 
ris, of the Eleventh Regiment, will detail theJCity Guard, 
Capt. McArdle, as a Guard of Honor to the bodies of 
Lieuts. Chandler and Gallagher. 

The services of the Pearson Light Guard of Brooklyn, 
Capt. Pike, has been accepted ; said company will act as 
a Guard of Honor to the bodies of Capts. Pearson and 
Barclay. 

Commandants of regiments will send their standards and 
camp colors to the City Hall, on Monday next, for the 
purpose of receiving the usual badges of mourning. 

Officers will wear crape on the left arm and on the sword 
hilt. 

By order of 

Brig. Gen. JOHN EWEN. 
N. Bergasse La Bau, Aid-de-Camp. 



July lltli. 

The follovint; Gem-rnl Order wna Isiiucd by tlie Coiiin>i(t<<>. 

The Clergy will assemble at the Governor''s room, City 
Hall, at one o'clock, p. m. 

The Pall Bearers will assemble at the arsenal yard, 
at one o'clock, p. m. 

The companies detailed as Guards of Honor, at the Ar- 
senal yard, at one o'clock, p. m. 

The New York Sacred Music Society will assemble in 
the Governor's room. City Hall, at three o'clock, p. m. 

The procession will move at two o'clock. 

The LINE OF march will be up Broadway to Fourteenth 
street ; through Fourteenth street to the Bowery; down the 
Bowery and Chatham street, to the east gate of the Park. 

After entering the Park, the bodies will be placed on 
trestles, in front of the platform erected for the Orator, 
Clergy and members of the Common Councils of New 
York and Brooklyn. 



THE CEREMONIES 

will be opened with prayer by the Rev. Isaac Ferris, D. 
D., of the Dutch Reformed Church. 



16 

AN ORATION, 

(Mvpourvd ai the request of the Coounittee of Arrange - 
naeals. vill tbea be tielivered br 

JOHN VAN BUREN. Esq. 

TIk Ooe. prepared for the occaston, at the request of the 
CVmbiboo CoobcO, br Geokge P. Mox&is, Esq.. will be 
son; by the New York Sacred Music Societj, who will 
occapr the bakoij of the hall. 

At the coadiKon of whicfa^ the BEXsmcnos will be pn>- 
aom ccd br the Rer. Sfs^tces H. Co3n:. of the Baptist 
Cliafch. 

The bodies of the deceased will thm be f^aced at the 
disposal of the rdatxres aad friends. 

It is directed by this Committee, that all public and li- 
censed carriages and Ye h ic i es be withdrawn firom the streets 
^vao^ which the procesaoa is to pass. 

The Chief oi Pelic«> k chafed with the enfiMveraent of 
thii order. 

Pcaoms having diaise oi the difleiait church and fire 
alai^ heQs in this citr, are reqniesaed to caise the bells to 
be tolled from the hoar of two o'clock, p. m^ during^ the 
pnacesaom, and the owners and ma a tPi s oi ressds in the 
kubor^and the proprietors of polilic boildings are request- 
ed to half ma^ their colors, from sonrise to sunset. It is 
i i ap e itfu llj recommended ako, that our fdlow citizens 
dose their places of basness during the sriemnities of the 
iar. 



17 



(03IMITTEE OF ARKAJtfcEJIEJnn*. 

Aid. De Forest, Isi Ward. Ass'u Aid. Schuliz. oih Ward. 
" Dodfe. 9th '• •• Franklin. ITih '' 

'• Gray, lUth « Brenan, 6ih *• 

" Smith, i6th " Getiv, 8ih " 

" Downing, 13th " Paxion, 14ih " 

MORRIS FRAXKLIX, 

President Board of Alderoien. 

WILSON SMALL, 

President Board of Assistants. 

Jflt 12tb. 
THE DAY 

was, in every way. all that the occasion seemed fitdnfflv 
to demand. Dark, sombre clonds o'ershadowed the heav- 
ens from morn till night, and the sun's rays were onlv visi- 
ble just before the funeral conege entered the western gate 
of the Park. In the fore part of the day a thin disagreable 
drizzle threatened to postpone the obseqoies altogether, but 
towards noon, the rain ceased, and. in this respect, every- 
thing was as favorable as could have been desired. The 
heavens above, in truth, seemed to sympathize wnth the 
solemn spectacle below. We never witnessed a gloomier 
or more melancholy-inspiring day. 

THE APPEARANCE OF THE CITY 

was in keeping with the solemn ceremonies of the day. 
From every public building the star spangled banner doat- 
ed at half-mast, and we noticed several private dwellii^ 



18 

along the line of the procession becomingly decked in sable 
habiliments. The municipal ordinance respecting vehicles 
and other street interruptions, it gives us much pleasure to 
say, were obeyed to the letter; in short, everything that 
our citizens at large could do to mark their respect, was 
done. From the hour of two p. m., minute guns were fired 
till after the ceremonies in front of the City Hall were con- 
cluded, and the bells of the various churches tolled the fu- 
neral dirge at intervals throughout the day. 

THE ARSENAL, CENTRE STREET. 

At the Arsenal yard, after passing a field battery, dressed 
in crape, the visitor entered the hall, where reposed the 
mouldering remains of these gallant fellows. Six coflSns 
were there reposing ; the watchful tread of a sentry from 
the Baxter Blues, being the only sound which broke the 
stillness. Wreaths and flowers were strewn upon the cof- 
fins ; that of the lamented Pearson being covered with 
black cloth, fringed with gold lace. The other coffins were 
of mahogany, each bearing a plate inscribed with the 
name of its silent occupant, his age, place of birth, cause 
of death, &c. 

The following were the inscriptions : 

ALEXANDER S. FORBES, 

Born Dec. 10th, 1819; died June 20th, 1848, at New Or- 
leans, while in the discharge of his duty as the agent 
for the Common Council, for bringing to New 
York the remains of the gallant heroes who 
fell at Churubusco and Chapultepcc. 



19 

LIEUT. COL. CHARLES BAXTER, 

Lioin Dec. 22d, 1814; died in the City of Mexico, Sept. 

IStli, 1847, of a wound received at the 

storming of Chapulfepec. 

CAPT. JAMES BARCLAY, 

Of Company C, New York Regiment ; died at San Angels, 
January 30, 1848, aged 28 years. 

CAPT. CHARLES H. PEARSON, 

Died in the City of Mexico, October 10, 1847, of wound* 

received in storming the Fortress of Chapnltepec, 

September 13, 1847, aged 31 years. 

LIEUT. CHARLES F. GALLAGHER, 

Died near tiie City of Mexico, September 10, 1847, 
nged 27 years, 2 months and 20 days. 

LIEUT. EDGAR CHANDLER, 

Born March 17, 1823; died Aug. 21, 1847, from a wound 

received on the 20th, on the field of 

Chm'ubusco. 

The scene was solemn and impressive, and will only 
puss from memory with life itself. 

As meridian ap{)roached, ihe various companies of our 
city military were seen concentrating at the Arsenal, and 
about one p. m., the Pearson Guards, from Brooklyn, 
marched up to take their place in the line, 
o 



2(1 

At two o'clock precisely, the bcilti of the City Hall and 
the various churches commenced a slow and measured 
peal, and nearly at the same moment the large procession 
started from the Arsenal, the Baxter Blues and the City 
Guard acting as an escort of honor. The procession took 
the route as laid down in the programme, passing up 
Broadway to Fourteenth street; through Fourteenth street 
to the Bowery ; down the Bowery to Chatham street ; 
through Chambers to the west gate of the Park, and 
thence to the front of the City Hall, where the broad plat- 
form in front had been reserved for the reception of the 
bodies, to wliich they were borne by the jiall bearers, and 
laid upon the trestles previously prepared. 

The Military escort consisted of the Fourth Brigade of 
New York State Militia, under the command of Brigadier 
General John Ewen, in reverse order, as follows : 

Twelfth Regiment, commanded by Colonel Henry G. 
Stebbins, composed of the following companies, to wit: 

Tompkins' Blues, com'd l>y Capl. John Mayer, Co. C. 

Benson Guard, " " Wm. McCrea, Co. B. 

Italian Guard, " Lieut. M. G, Laughill, Co. E. 

Monroe Blues, '^ Capt. J. F. E. Prudhomme, D. 

LaAiyette Fusileers, " " Wm. McCauley, Co. F. 

Independence Guard, '•' " James A. Boyle, " G. 

Light Guard, " '*■ Edward Vincent, " A. 

Baxter Blues, " " Saml. P. Ayres, " H. 

The last conipnay paraded as a Guard of Honor to the 
bodies of LiEiT. Coi. Baxtkr -dmi Lieut. Fohees. 



21 

Eleventh Kt'g-iiiient, coimnanded by Col. R. C. Morris, 
wns composed of the following companies, to wit: 

Union Rillemcn, com'd by Capt. John P. Ellis, Co. H. 
Continental Guard, " " John C. Helme, Co. B. 
Montgomery " " " T. S. Murphy, " E. 

Washington " " " F. Piesmicker, " D. 

" " " " I. Seafert. 

City " '^ " Wm. McArdle, Co. A. 

The last named company paraded as a Guard of Honor 
(o the bodies of Lieutenants Chandler and Gallagher. 

Tenth Regiment, commanded by Col. Wm. Halsey, 
was composed of the following companies, to wit : 

President's Guard, com'd by Capt. Cornl. Clock, Co. 



Emmet " 


u 


n 


James McGrath, Co. 


E. 


President's " 


a 


a 


H. L. Moelyle, " 


B. 


Washington Cadets, 


a 


i( 


Henry Baldwin, " 


G. 


President's Guard, 


a 


li 


Henry Brunner, " 


C. 


ei u 


a 


a 


Thomas Jones, " 


A. 


National Greys, 


a 


- u 


Jacob Raynor, " 


H. 



The Company of Pearson Light Guard, of Brooklyn, 
commanded by Capt. Nicholas Pike, paraded as a Guard 
of Honor to the bodies of Captains Pearson and Barclay. 

At three minutes after four, the head of the column 
appeared at the west gate of the Park, preceded by a com- 
pany of dragoons, who aided the policemen in preserving 
order. They were followed by the Baxter Blues, after 



•>J 



whom canie llie caiiiag-cs containing ll)e Rev. ('lerg-y, iu 
the foUowinff order : 



Reformed Dutch — Rev. Drs. Knox, Hardensburgh, Fer- 
ris, GUILDAN. 

Episcopal — Wainwright, Taylor, Price, Seabury. 

Baptist — Cone, Evarts, Hopkins, Sumers. 

Presbyterian — Smith, Chapman, Spring, Cox. 

From Brooklyn — Rev. Messrs. Vinton, (Episcopal) — 
Hodge, (Baptist) — Jacobus, (Dutch Reformed.) 

Methodist — Creagh, Vincent, Clark, Griffin. 

Catholic — Bishop Hughes, Rev. Drs. Pise, Buchmeyer, 
Larkin. 

Unitarian — Dewey, Briggs, Farley, Osgood. 

Lutheran — Geissenhainer, Martin, Stohtman, Held. 

Universalis!. — Skinner, Chapin, Rayner, Thayer. 



These were succeeded by the bodies, borne on separate 
hearses, with their names emblazoned in larc^c silver let- 
ters on the drapery which overhung the coffins. Then 
came the body of 



FORBES, 

AVITH THK FOT.I.OnilVG PALI. BEARKRS. 

Mp.'srs. Aaron Baldwin, Messrs. John Reeves, 
Wna. S. Williams, Chavles Smith, 

Foster N. Mott, Fred. Watkins, 

Rirhard White, James Malone. 



23 
BAXTER. 

PALL BEARERS. 



Col. Burnett, 1st Regt. N.Y.V. 

" Ming, 3d " " 

" Carnes, oth " " 

" Brennan,7tli " N.Y.A. 



Col. Calhoun, 2d Regt. N.Y.V 

" Thomas, 4th " " 

Lt.Col. Potter, 2d " 
Lt. Sweeny, 1st " " 



Escorted by the Baxter Blues, as a Guard of Honor, 
under Captain Kissner. 



BARCLAY. 

PALL BEARERS. 



Lt. Col. Borden, 8th Rg. NYA. Lt. Col. Ryer, 1st Reg. N.Y.A 



" Drucker,5th " 

Capt. Shumway, 7th " 

"• Luerson, 4th " 



Major Rader, 5th " 
Capt. Forsyth, 1st " 
" Swartzwelder 5th 



PEARSON. 

PALL BEARERS. 

Lt. Col. Duryea, 7th Rg. NYA. j Lt. Col. Ferris, 9th Reg. NYA. 

" Hopkins,3d " NYV. ' Major Lyon, 2d " Vol. 

" Kesler, 5th " " | Capt. Innes, 1st " " 

Major Thomas, I " J. Pattison,4th" " 



Escorted by the Pearson Light Guard, as a Guard of 
Honor, under Captain N. Pikk. 



24 
GALLAGHER. 

PALL BEARERS. 

Capt. VVaugh, 7th Regt. Ps YA. I Capt. Price, 7th Regt. N.Y.A. 
Lieut. Crofts, 1st " Vol. " Ferber,4th " " 

" Sutor, 1st " " Lieut.Wiley, 1st " N.Y.V. 

" Forbes, 4th " NYA. | " Curran, 1st " 



CHANDLER. 

PALL BEARERS. 

Lieut. Henry, 1st Regt. N.Y.V. j Capt. Van Dyck,8th Rg. NYA. 

" Reed, " ; Lieut. Smith, 7th " " 

Surgeon McKibbin, " " Floyd, 1st " Vol. 

Lieut. Brown, " , " L. Dunning,lst" " 

Escorted by the City Guard, under Captain McArdle, 
as a Guard of Honor. 

These were followed by the mourners, &c., in the order 
below : 

Mourners and relatives of each of the deceased, in 
Carriages. 

Mayors of the Cities of New York and Brooklyn. 

The Common Council of the City of New York. 

The Board of Aldermen, 
Preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and headed by their 

President. 



25 

Tlie Board of Assistants, 

Preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arins, and headed by 

their President, 

The Common Council of the City oi' Brooklyn, 

Civic Societies. 

The Ringgold Association, 

And such others as reported themselves to the Committee 
previous to the moving of the Procession. 

Citizens and Strangers. 

The Mayor of Albany was also present, with several 
members of the Common Council of t!iat city. 

THE PARK. 

After eiiieriiig thePurk, now densely crowded with spec- 
tators, the coflins wers taken from the hearses, and placed 
on trestles in front of the platform. Upon each coffin the 
hand of affection had scattered flowers and laurel wreaths, 
and upon those containing the bodies of Pearson and Bax- 
ter, were laid their swords and other portions of their ac- 
coutrements they had worn when alive. The soldiery 
advancing with slow and solemn tread, formed a hollow 
square, enclosing the space where the bodies were deposi- 
ted, the various bands the while performing the most 
touching airs best befitting the occasion. 

BEFORE THE CITY HALL, 

the scHue was luoH imposing and impressive. Conspicu- 
t»;is upon I lie [)l;iU"orm was tlie flag presented l>y tlic Com- 



26 

iiion Council, in the name of the City, to the New York 
Reg-jment, just ])revioiJs to its departure for Vera Cruz. 
Torn, tattered and blood-drenched, it told a fearful story 
of its own, which the scarred volunteers who bore it hither 
from Mexico, in the steamer Edith, seemed minutely to 
corroborate. The area in front, the windows, balconies 
and roofs, were literally alive with human being's, of all 
ages, ranks and conditions of life. The police did (heir 
duty, howerer, quietly and efficiently, and not the slight- 
est disorder was perceptible. The arrangements in this 
respect Avere, in fact, perfect. Every nook and corner 
swarmed with human beings, and even ilie trees bent be- 
neath their living load. Upon the platfoi in were seated 
John Van Buren, Esq., Orator of the Day, tbe Clergy, 
juetjibers of the Mew York and Brooklyn Couiiuon Coun- 
cil, and (he re[)resentatives of the Press. 



THE CEREMONIES 

were opened l>y the following eloquent prayer, by the 
Rev. Dr. Ferris, of (he Dutch Reformed Church : 

Almighty and Most Holy God ! we bow before Thee, 
on this most solemn and affecting occasion, with the deep 
feeling of our personal unworthiness and sinfulness. Who 
are we, that we should come before Thee ? Verily we 
die, worms of the dust — creatures of a day ! We adore 
thee as the living and true God — as the King Eternal, 
Immortal and Invisible — worthy of all homage, both as a 
bring infinite and eternal, and as the source of all bless- 



iiig. To us, in Thy presence, belong shame and confu- 
sion of face, while glory, and dominion, and power, are 
Thine. Called together in thy providence, under circum- 
stances of unusual character, we beg audience at thy 
throne of mercy, through our Lord Jesus Christ. We 
mourn over the removal of dear friends by the visitations 
of war, while we admire their heroic example ; we min- 
gle our sympathies with the large circle of sorrowing 
relatives to whose afiections they shall never return. We 
beg Thee, in mercy, to bind up the broken heart and ap- 
point a speedy reconciliation and relief to those that 
mourn ; remember graciously the families and relatives of 
all those who have fallen in battle or b}^ disease — espe- 
cially, be thou the God of the widow, and the fatherless, 
and the orphan. To whom shall we look but to Thee? — 
all power is thine, all consolations are thine, and mercy is 
thine. Pity thou, we beseech thee, all descriptions of 
sufferers by the recent war with a neighboring republic, 
and overrule all the evils which have been endured. On 
this occasion we would conuuend to Thy special favor the 
companions in arms of the departed, who are gathered 
around their biers, and the shattered remnant of hardy 
men whom they comiiumded, who have just been brought 
to their homes. 

Oh, God ! we moiun over the ravages of war, even 
among the victorious ; over our whole land the mourners 
bow their heads in the dust for denr friends whom they 
shall see no more. Grant them mercy, and grant that we 
may learn war no more. We thank Thee for the return 
of peace — may she ever abide among us, and our beloved 
< ountry be distinguis^hcd for the cultivation oi the arts of 
4 



28 

peace and ailvuiiceinciiL in piety. Hasten the blessed 
period when all the nations of the earth shall cease from 
war, and the power of the gospel shall be universally felt; 
and may we, as a people, be eminently thine instruments 
in accomplishing so desirable an end — may it be our special 
privilege to give the word of life and a free gospel to the 
people who through us have suffered sadly by the scoiuges 
of war, and thus repair, as far as may be, the injuries 
which have been sustained. We commend to thy pater- 
nal care the bereft widow and family of him who, in seek- 
ing to bring the remains of a beloved officer to his com- 
panions and relatives, has fallen a victim to disease. 
Having made the dearest of sacrifices to friendship, may 
his stricken family never fail to enjoy all that W'arm, de- 
voted friendship can do — above all, may the consolations 
of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ be theirs. Grant 
us thy blessing in the exercises of this occasion — aid in 
every duty ; and may such impressions be made, and such 
purposes formed, as shall, in their results, redound to thy 
glory, above all tljings, and our good. Hear us, in these 
supplications, only for the sake of our intercessor, Jesus 
Christ, and to the father, and the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost, be all the praise. Amen. 



29 

Alderman Gray, uI" iIk- C'ommitlee, tlieii introduced llie 
Orator of (he Day, 

JOHN VAN BUREN, Esq., 
who delivered the following 

ADDRESS : 

Fellow Citizens: — The proceedings which have thus 
far marked this melancholy occasion, have been in all res- 
pects appropriate. It is eminently fit and proper that the 
citizens of tliis metropolis, the popular heart and commer- 
cial centre of our great confederac)^, should signalize by 
public observances, the return to them of the bodies of 
those whose lives have been yielded to the service of the 
Republic. Scarcely eighteen months since, those young 
men (save one,) left us full of hope and health, and rushed 
to tlie standard unfurled by our troops on the soil of a 
foreign* enemy. They doubtless counted on returning 
crowned with honor, to resume their accustomed avoca- 
tions ; but that Providence that turns to ashes all human 
calculations, restores them^ to you thus — {pointing to the 
coffins.) The brilliant pageant of this day, its military 
and civic display, its parade and pomp, its concourse of 
grateful people, its solemn aspect, and above all, its moral, 
W'hich conveys comfort and courage to the defenders of a 
free government every where, will mark the 12th of July, 
1848, as an epoch in the history of freemen. To describe 
these ceremonies to you, would be only to remind you of 
what you see, and feel, and do. It seems to me more 
suitable, in compliance with the invitation to participate 
in thes(^ ceremonies, which I hav«» received from the Com- 



nion Council, to ask yom aitriiMon (o a cursory sketch of" 
those whose ineinoiies arc honored by these splendid de- 
iHonsl rations of popular respect, honor and gratitude. 
The first to chiim our notice, is the individual whose mis- 
fortune it was to he deharred from participating in the 
glories of the war, and who met his death whilst engaged 
in the solemn and painful duty of bringing to their final 
resting place, the earthly remains of those, who, in com- 
mon with himself, now lie before yon. Mr. Alexander S. 
Forbes, an estimable citizen of this place, was a Second 
Lieutenant of the Second Regiment of New York Volun- 
teers. That regiment not being ordered into service, his de- 
sire to serve the country in this capacity wasnot gratified ; 
a private in the Baxter Blues, and well acquainted with 
the distinguished officers of the First Regiment, whose 
lives had been the forfeit of their patriotic devotion, he 
was selected b}?^ the Common Council as the agent for 
bringing their remains to this city. In discharge of this 
melancholy duty he repaired to Mexico, and had reached 
New Orleans on his way home, he was then seized with 
fever and died on the 20th of June, 1848. The universal 
favorite of his acquaintances while living, his death is 
deeply and widely lamented. The gallant otficers whose 
remains he had thus far conveyed to the City, and whose 
memory we are assembled to honor, were Lieutenants 
Chandler and Gallagher, Captains Pearson and Barclay, 
and Lieutenant Colonel Baxter. I propose to refer you, 
rapidly, to such few prominent circumstances in regard to 
each, as I have had the time and opportunity to learn. 

Lieut. Edgar Chandler was born in the City of New 
York, on the 17th day of March, 1823 ; he was the eldest 



.31 

son of (iei). Adotiiicini (Jhandler, who served as a volini- 
teer during the war of 1812, under Gen. Scott, at the tak- 
ing" of Fort George, and was under Commodore Chauncey 
in the engagements of the Genesee river, with Sir James 
Yeo, and in Burlington bay. Lieut. Chandler was exem- 
plary and studious in his habits; modest and unassuming 
in his manners. A fondness for military life led to appli- 
cations, in his behalf, for a place in the military school at 
West Point, which were, however, unsuccessful. The 
same motive induced him to accept the offer of a lieuten- 
ancy in the First Regiment of New York Volunteers. He 
landed under Gi3n. Scott, at Vera Cruz, and participated, 
with his regiment, in the battles of Cerro Gordo and Con- 
Ireras, and fell mortally wounded on the field of Churu- 
l)usco, August 20th, 1847, as is testified by his command- 
ing officer, " whilst gallantly sustaining his colors." He 
survived his wound until ten a. m., next day, when he ex- 
pired in the arms of his associate, Lieut. Henry, with en- 
tire calmness and resignation — not a murmur having es- 
caped his lips from the moment he was wounded until life 
became extinct. He obtained the respect and confidence 
of his fellow oflTicers and soldiers, and fell deepl}' regretted 
by all who knew him. Cut off at the early age of twenty- 
four, his character was only beginning to show the fruits 
which thorough education, strict integrity and masculine 
intellect promised to produce. Among these, the most 
conspicuous was a punctillious fidelity in the discharge of 
every trust confided to him. His parents, who knew him 
best, can most keenly appreciate his loss — and the militar}^ 
experience of his sorrowing father will, we trust, enable 
him to derive consolation from the reflection that he met a 



32 

ilcatli which a soUlk-r iiiiiilit rvpccl — in a manner which a 
sf)l(lier mnst envy. 

Lieut. Charles F. Gallagher died at Misoac,the lOlh 
of September, 1847, at the age of 27. He was a native of 
New York, and served as Adjutant of the First Regiment ; 
lie distinguislied himself at the battles of Vera Cruz and 
Cerro Gordo, and died of sickness incurred by privation 
and exposure in the service of his country. Lieut. Gal- 
lagher was a model of manly beauty, and shared in a 
large degree, the admiration, attachment and love of his 
companions in arms. Foremost, not onl}^ to the field, but 
in the discharge of those less obtrusive, but no less neces- 
sary, duties of detail and discipline, the life which he had 
freely periled in battle, was eventually sacrificed to the less 
grateful and attractive calls of his position. A just public 
will compensate the absence of any brilliancy in his death, 
by a higher appreciation of the memory of his virtues. 

Capt. Charles H. Pearson was descended from ances- 
tors who had devoted a large portion of their lives to the 
service of their countr3^ His grandfather, Nathaniel 
Pearson, served under Gen. Washington, with honor, dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war, and was on guard on the day 
when Andre was executed. Charles Pearson, the father 
of Captain Pearson, was taken prisoner by the British, 
during the late war, and confined for two years in the 
Dartmouth prison. His son, Charles H. Pearson, whose 
rejnains now lie before you, was born at Portland, Maine, 
on the 13th of May, 1815. He was educated at the Wes- 
lyan Seminary, Reedfield, Maine, and came to Brooklyn 



33 

to rt'siilc, al. the age of about 17. A larg-e portion of liis 
time was devoted to military pursuits. Gentle and unas- 
suming in his manners, he had yet acquired in an emi- 
nent degree, the power of influencing the action of his 
associates and companions. The ^Municipal Guard of 
Brooklyn, were disbanded, and subsequently re-organized 
under the name of the Brooklyn Light Guard, a corps 
which he commanded for several years, and which were 
distinguished for their discipline and good conduct. In 
compliment of the deceased they now bear the honored 
name of the Pearson Guards. His anxiety to engage in 
the Mexican campaign induced him, although chosen a 
captain in the Second Regiment of Volunteers, to accept a 
lieutenancy in the First, when it was called into the field. 
The resignation of a captain in his company elevated him 
to the same rank which he had held in the second regiment. 
He commanded Company E, and was the color captain 
of his regiment. He served witli honor in the entire 
campaign from Vera Cruz to the gates of Mexico, receiv- 
ing the wound which caused his death on the 13th of Sep- 
tember, 1847, at Chapultepec, within sight of the city of 
Mexico, and was carried to that capitol where he died on 
the 10th of October following. The concurrent testimony 
of all who knew Captain Pearson in every relation of life 
represents him as an upright, modest, generous and con- 
fiding man, an attentive and accomplished ofl[icer, and a 
brave soldier. Ardently attached to the profession to 
which he had devoted so much of his time, he sought and 
found in it distinction timing life, and a death at the early 
age of 32, which those who most lament his loss cannot 
fail to respect and admire. 



34 

Capt. Jamks Barclay was a native of Albany. He 
served under Gen. Scott, and was noted for his distinguish- 
ed gallantry in the various engagements w^hich rendered 
so illustrions^the progress of our troops from the coast to 
the capital of the Mexican Republic. He died suddenly, 
January 30th, 1848, at Mexico, aged 28, leaving a widow 
and child to mourn his loss. He had frequently expressed 
a wish to die, as he said, " with his harness on ;" and so 
sudden was the message that terminated his existenee, 
that death found him as he had desired — clad in full mili- 
tary costume. No braver soldier or more generous-hearted 
man will be remembered by the associates and companions 
whom this brilliant but destructive campaign has afflicted 
and bereaved. 

LiKUT. Colonel Charles Baxter was born in this 
city on the 22d day of December, 1814. His father, 
Stephen Ikixti-r, was at that lime a lieutenant and pay- 
master of a regiment of New York State Volunteers, in the 
service of the United States. Five of his great uncles, by 
the name of Rosekrans, natives of Dutchess comity, served 
as officers in the American army during the Revolutionary 
war. His brother William was a sergeant-major in the 
army, and was supposed to have fallen in the Florida 
w^ar. At the age of 20 he joined the Pulaski Cadets, un- 
der the command of Capt. McArdle. The following year 
he raised the company of Kosciusko Cadets, which corps 
subse(|uently, and during his absence at the South, was 
disbanded. In 1839 he was elected Captain of the Scott 
Cadets, which company, by his indefatigable exertions, was 
placed upon a looting of high respectability, iind was af- 
terwards c<)n>(ili(];iti(l Willi the 'i'om|)kiiis" Ciidcts, and took 



35 

their name. This corps, swollen by accessions from the 
Tompkins' Blues, was for many years distinguished for its 
discipline and standing-, and in these respects compared 
advantageously with the best drilled companies in the 
regular service. The prospect of a serious diiliculty with 
Great Britain in 1845, in regard to the boundary of Ore- 
gon, induced Captain Baxter, in connection with other 
military gentlem n, to attempt the organization of a bri- 
gade of two regiments. Although the ihsposition of the 
Oregon question rendered the use of this force unnecessary, 
it was doubtless owing to this circumstance that two regi- 
ments out of the seven, which the President required from 
this stale to aid in conducting the war with Mexico, were 
mustered within the time specified by the order of the 
government. Of these two regiments, Ward B. Burnett 
was elected colonel of one and Charles Baxter of the other. 
The dates of their commissions being determined by lot, 
Colonel Burnett obtained the seniority. In the fall of 
1848, Colonel Baxter was elected to the Assembly, but 
learning that the First Regiment had been called into ser- 
vice, and fearing that the second might not be, he resigned 
his seat in the Assembly, and his command of the Second 
Regiment, and accepted a lieutenant colonelcy in the 
First. In November, 1846, the Tompkins' Blues, as a tes- 
timonial of respect for his character, presented him with a 
splendid sword, bearing upon one side of the blade the 
motto, "Thy energy won me," and on the other, " Thy 
courage will hold me." A resolution was also passed re- 
questing him to retain his command of the company, 
which he did till the day of his death. The particulars of 
[lis life sulisecjuenily to his leaving tlie city, and the cir- 



36 

cumstanccs attending his death, are thus truly and elo- 
([ucntly described in the Sunday A.tlas : — 

Lieut. Col. Baxter left New York, with his regiment, in 
January, 1847, and arrived at the Island of Lobos, where 
the troops were concentrated for the expedition to Vera 
Cruz, and for military instruction. It is said that his mili- 
tary skill was there noticed, and that he was detained as 
military instructer of brigade. He was at the taking of 
Vera Cruz, from which place he commanded a detach- 
ment of eighty men to the relief of a foraging party, who 
were said to be surrounded by a large body of Mexicans. 
About nine miles from the city he met the foragers on 
their return, but proceeded and came up with two hun- 
dred of the enemy, and after a short engagement, defeat- 
ed and routed them. 

He was at the battle of Cerro Gordo, where a portion of 
his regiment were distinguished and noticed by Gen. 
Twiggs, in a letter to Col. Burnett, in which one of Bax- 
ter's pupils, Sergeant Marx Manly Hart, with others, was 
commended for the gallant and close pursuit they gave 
Santa Anna, being at one time between three and four 
miles in advance of the main body. 

At the battle of Contreras, his regiment, in General 
Shields' brigade, was stationed at a hamlet to cut off the 
retreat of the enemy after their route, and to protect the 
flank of Gen. Smith's command, who soon drove them 
from their position in confusion. The following extract 
from General Shields, gives an account of the action in 
which he participated : — "At this juncture, I ordered the 



37 

Ivvo regiments of niy command to throw themselves on the 
main road, by wliich the enemy must retire, to intercept 
and cut olT his retreat; and, although officers and men 
had siirtered severely during the march of the night, and 
from exposure without shelter or cover to the incessant 
rain until daybreak, this movement was executed in good 
order, and with rapidity. The Palmetto Regiment 
crossing a deep ravine, deployed on both sides the road 
and opened a most destructive fire upon the mingled mas- 
ses of infantry and cavalry ; and the New York Regiment, 
brought into line lower down, and on the road side, de- 
livered its fire wnth like eflfect. At this point, many of 
the enemy were killed and wounded ; some 365 captured, 
of which 25 were officers, and amongst the latter was Gen. 
Nicholas Nendoza. 

At the battle of Churubusco, Colonel Burnett having 
fallen early in the action, severely wounded, the com- 
mand devolved upon Lieutenant Col. Baxter. General 
Shields, in his report, speaks thus forcibly for the gallantry 
of his brigade, the New York and South Carolina Volun- 
teers. " In tliis terrible battle, in which a strongly forti- 
fied enemy fought behind his works, under the walls of his 
capital, our loss is necessarily severe. The loss, I regret 
to say, has fallen most severely upon my command. In 
the two regiments of my own brigade, numbering about 
600 in the fight, the loss is reported 240 in killed and 
wounded." The report notices the services of Lieut. Col. 
Baxter, and others, as follows: — "In closing this report, 
I beg to offer my thanks to the many gallant officers of my 
command for their zealous and fearless support during the 
conflict. To Col. Burnett, and Lieut. Col. Baxter of the 



38 

New York Volunlcers ; to Lieut. Col. Dickinson, and Ma- 
jor Gladden, South Carolina Volunteers, as also to many 
of their g-allant subordinates, every praise is due." 

The following' extract of a letter from an officer of the 
New York regiment, daled Oct. 17, 1847, gives a more 
particular account of his regiment in this contest : 

" At Churubusco, the New York regiment made the 
first charge alone, the South Carolina regiment being 
nearly two hundred yards in the rear, coming up by the 
flank; Col. Burnett fell in the first charge, severely woun- 
ded, with about eighty officers and men. * * 
Lieut. Col. Baxter formed the basis of a line of battle for 
the brigade to form on ; the South Carolinians then came 
up handsomely, and formed on our reginient, when, the 
Older being given, both regiments charged in gallant style, 
supported by the ninth infantry." 

Lieut. Col. Baxter fell mortally wounded while leading 
his regiment in the assault on Chapultepec, having re- 
ceived two musket balls in the groin, and died in the city 
of Mexico, on September ISth, 1848. The flag of his reg- 
iment was the first to float over the castle, and to one of 
his officers, Lieut. Brower, its commandant, the veteran 
and distinguished Gen. Bravo surrendered. 

Gen. Quitman speaks thus briefly, but forcibly, of Lieut. 
Col. Baxter, in his report of the battle : 

" The brave Captain Van Olinda, of the New York reg- 
irnenl, was killed at the head of his company ; Lieut. Col. 



39 

Baxter, of the same regiinent, a valuable and esteemed of- 
ficer, while gallantly leadings his command, fell mortally 
wounded near the wall." 

On the reception of the news of his death, the officers of 
the Second Regiment of New York Volunteers held a 
meeting-, at which they passed resolutions expressive of 
the high regard they entertained for bis character as a 
citizen, his gallantry and skill as an officer, and his devo- 
tion as a patriot, while he lived, and of the deep sorrow 
they felt for his untimely, but glorious death. Resolu- 
tions, embodying the same sentiments, were adopted by 
the Independent Guard, and the Independent Tompkins' 
Blues, of this city, and copies sent to his disconsolate 
mother. Tliis company, at the same time, with a feeling 
which did credit to them, changed their name to Baxter 
Blues, as a memento to the memory and honor of their 
late commandant. 

On the news of his death being communicated to the 
Legislature, resolutions were passed, expressive of their 
approbation of his services and patriotism, and their sor- 
row for his death, copies of which were sent to his mother, 
and both bodies adjourned for the usual time, as a mark of 
respect to the memory of their deceased associate. 

Alderman Purser offered similar resolutions in the Com- 
mon Council, which were adopted in relation to him and 
the gallant and lamented Lieut. Chandler, and also one 
to appoint a committee to co-operate with any military 
bodies in making arrangements to bring on the remams of 
those officers. 



4U 

J lis last words, as related ia a letter written b}' a gen- 
tleman, in whose arms he died, to his father, a friend of 
Baxter's, will illustrate tlie deep interest ho felt in the 
glory of his regiment, the honor of his state, and his own 
fame. This gentleman attended him with the kindness 
and affection of a brother. On the night of his death, he 
awoke from a doze, and in the following jocose manner, 
addressed his friend : — 

" Mac — Doc — what are you doing?" 

The doctor answered that he was writing to his father. 

" Then say to him that the New York Regiment was 
there, and that I fell where I should have fallen, at the 
head of it." 

These were the last expressions of this honored son of 
New York, who, a few minutes afterwards, was a corps m 
the arms of his friend. 

Thus departed the spirit of one of the most promising 
and gallant young officers that ever entered the volunteer 
service of his country. His skill and courage were ac- 
knowledged and admired by all who served with him in 
the achievement of those splendid victories, from Vera 
Cruz to the city of Mexico, which, will be so memorable 
in our national history. In his death, his country has 
lost a valuable and distinguished officer and patriot, his 
state a good citizen, and a large circle of acquaintances an 
esteemed friend. He was kind in feeling, gentle in his 
deportment, and in all his relations of life conducted him- 
self with the strictest propriety and integrity. 



41 

Fellow-ciiizens, 1 have thus detailed to you, in a man- 
lier far from interesting, I fear, the prominent features of 
the lives we are commemorating. You will be siruck, as 
I was, by the extreme youth of all the deceased. At an 
age when maturity seems in other countries to commence, 
we find lives of honor here closed by their sacrifices upon 
the altar of patriotisaa. The youth, which is the reproach 
cast upon our government from abroad, seems to invest, 
with its disinterestedness and its energy, the citizens who 
give the highest glory and success to the working of our 
republic. 

Those young men were almost all natives of oiu' state 
— they reflect glory upon tlie commonwealth which has 
given them to tlie Union. It is a singular circumstance 
that they were, almost without exception, descended from 
ancestors who had distinguished themselves in military 
life, audit would seem as if the Providence which watched 
over our liappy country, had ordered tliat while we reject 
hereditary titles, difiuse and distribute to tlie greatest at- 
tainable extent, worldly wealth, and avoid and fear stand- 
ing armies in time of peace, yet that our liberties shall be 
guarded by the transmission, in unimpaired strength and 
full volume, from generation to generation, of the valuable 
((ualities of bravery and military skill, and the signal 
virtue of patriotism on which the vindication of national 
honor, and the preservation of our position and fame, im- 
dcr Providence, depend. 

Those gallant oflScers, too, were volunteers — a class of 
military men whose merits and demerits have been largely 
discussed. 



42 

The Mexican war would seem to have established the 
fact beyond dispute, (hat in active and official service in 
the field, a volunlecr force is surpassed by none, and why 
should it not be so ? A citizen called from (he responsi- 
bilities and associations of civil life, leaves behind him 
those who observe his conduct, and whose good opinion 
can only be secured by meritorious find gallant bearing. 
We have a right to expect from him intelligent action, and 
knowing as he must that his own safety, as well as the 
success of the military operations in which he is engaged, 
depends on obedience and strict discipline, it has seemed 
to me always inevitable that an American volunteer, of 
good character, must make the best soldier in the world. 
He ha8 the intelligence which enables him to appreciate 
the necessity of obedience, and the position at home which 
pride will not permit him to sacridce. With every capaci- 
ty, then, lo learn his duty, and every tnotive to stimulate 
his ambition, it has not surprised me to see the extraordi- 
nary and unparalloled success wliich has attended our ar- 
mies in Mexico, composed mainly of volunteers, nor to 
find the citizens of New York amongst the first soldiers of 
the Republic. 

Fellow-citiz(.'us, I have endeavored carefully to avoid 
anything like indiscriminate praise, or exaggerated pa- 
negyric — these are not natural to my disposition ; and I 
could undertake no sj)ecial duty, however grateful or hon- 
orable, (hat should require me to express sen(iments I do 
not honesdy entertain. Fulsome adulation of the dead is 
not only injurious to them, but is unjust to the living. It 
seemed to me more wise to confine my remarks chiefly to 
their acts ; for it is on these they will be judged by the 
present public and posterity. 



Tlie Mexican canipaig-n has elicited military talent of 
the hig-Iiest order. We have seen a commander landmg 
10,000 iroops witliout an accident, upon an enemy's coast, 
and almost imder the guns of a fortress, supposed to be 
impregnable — subjugating I his fortress, subsisting those 
iroops, and marching them tliree hundred miles, through 
a country extremely difficult of access, and a dense popu- 
lation of a disposition naturally warlike, and presided over 
by a chieftain of ihc highest reputation for military 
skill, carrying by storm, and in the face of extraordinary 
odds, the strongest positions for assault and defence, tak- 
ing and leaving behind him cities far larger than any, 
save one, in our state, until without a defeat, check or 
even a serious disaster, he planted this small band of war- 
riors in the heart and capital of the foe, where they re- 
posed, surrounded by a hostile population of 200,000 souls, 
for iiKJUths, in pi-rfcct security and tranquility ; and event- 
ually compelled a country containing seven millions of 
warlike people, and the elements ol' extraordinary wealth, 
lo submit to terms of peace satisfactory to the invaders, 
and welcome to the government in whose service they 
fought. 

A volume woidd be too short to do justice to the achieve- 
ments which I am forced to compress into a sentence : 
but in my judgment, impartial posterity will award to the 
hero ol this campaign the honor of being one of the ablest, 
if not the ablest living general of his day. 

This is not the occasion nor the time to describe in de- 
tail the action of the hosts of niilitary men who have dis- 
tinguished themselves in ^Mexico. I can only speak of 
the commanders of the two armies. 
6 



n 

Tlic ciigagfiiu-iits ul General Taylor at Palo Alto and 
Resaca tie la Paliiia, ieartiil as they were, and desperate 
as they seemed— the capture of Monterey, the bloody 
and obstinate resistance and victory of Btiena Vista, to- 
gether with the intelligence, good sense, modesty and hn- 
manity of that distinguished commander, have made a 
wide and deep impression upon the public mind, and se- 
cured to him the lasting admiration and gratitude of his 
country. So conspicuous is (his truth that a large num- 
ber of his fellow-citizens are prepared and anxious to in- 
vest him with the highest office in their gift, the greatest 
trust in the world. 

But why do I speak of commanders? Should we over- 
look the great army of privates? These men see war in 
all its horrors ; on the march — in camp — in battle — the 
stern and severe and trying labors of military life, devolve 
on them. The luxuries of a camp they never know — the 
charms of society in a foreign country they rarely enjoy. 
Public notices of their gallantry are seldom given; and 
cut down in the discharge of their duty, either by disease 
or carnage, no stone marks the place of their final repose 
— no kindness brings their remains to the resting place of 
their fathers — no public testimonials of recollection, grati- 
tude and honor wait upon their interment, yet in the 
hearts of these men beats the same devoted patriotism — in 
their action is manifested the same stern sense of duty — in 
their breasts breathe frequently the same high hopes — the 
same noble resolves — and around them cluster the same 
ties of associations, kindred and blood, that lend interest, 
dignity and character to the most illustrious military chief- 
tain ; and from such a material as them in times past, 



45 

have 1)0011, and airaiii will ho liown, scnciojoiiv., Immocs 
;iimI cliaiU])i()iH of i)o[)i)lar lil)oit\'. 

Brilliant as has boon the conthict. of ofllcors of every 
grade in tlio recent feats of valor that have rert(>cted such 
glof}^ upon the American arms, no one circumstance stands 
out more proudly and gratefnlly to the observation of the 
country, than tiie order, steadiness and conspicuous valor 
of the rank and fde of our armies in Mexico. 

In view of these facts, notorious as they are to every 
intelligent citizen, I could not select even the distinguished 
men whose remains lie before you, as the objects of over- 
strained praise and Hatter3\ He who does so would be un- 
true to history, unkind to them, unjust to himself, and un- 
faithful, not only to those patriotic citizens, who with the 
same ardent desire to serve their country have not enjoyed 
the opportunity, but also to those armies of heroes and 
patriots to whose action I bave thus briefly and hastily 
advertiMJ. 

In concluding, fellow-citizens, remarks, which I am 
fully conscious have nothing but their simplicity and truth 
to commend them to your attention, and in thanking you 
for the kindness with which you have receivedsuggestions 
so unworthy of the eflbrt which you may have been led 
to expect, and which are so well calculated to occasion 
disappointment, allow me to congratulate you, as I think 
I may not inappropriately do, that peace is again the 
happy condition of our people. 

All the departments of industry, social order, the inter- 
ests of hnmanitv, civilization and Christianity — intellec- 



46 

tiial, rrjoral, jjolitical i>ioijre<i!) — rccjiur*- j)<;kc a( ihc handi 
of every government and people. 

War )s a >r«rii nfce>»sity, somoiini'is ioiccd upon nations 
as personal conflicts may be upon individuals. In all 
governments it carries with it disorder, distress, temporary 
destruction of properly, and loss of life ; but to our republic 
it is peculiarly unsuited ; and while I rf-joice that (he crisis 
through which ihe country has just passed, has nobly vin- 
dicatfid the system from the reproach, that it is inadequate 
to the successful conduct of a foreign war, no one could 
havf; failed to observe that it l)rings in ils train, that great 
political evil of increased patronage and power in the arm 
of the national government, which is the lurking danger 
of the system itself, and which all sincere republicans 
should hazard everything but national honor to avoid. 
Fncrcasfd debt, disturbed occupations, destruction of health 
and liff, of which fhc wrecks that lie before yen are but 
siri.ill riiid jiartial evidences, sink into insignificance, com- 
parefl with this great evil, which threatens even the exis- 
tence of iusiiiuiions, which are the admiration of the 
world, ;iti(i th«' fxajnple and hope of the friends of freedom 
throughout (lif civili/fd {.'lobe. 

It is, tbcrffcjie, wiih Ntian'ccicd jfiy, ijiat 1 congratulate 
you on ilif rr-estabJisbiM' lit of peace, and trust that the 
day is far distant, when we shall again be calh-d to mourii 
the loss of citizens and friends, who have; been siiiiiuioncd 
lf> lay down their lives, (o upliobl \]\c interest or honor of 
t[\c I nitcd Stnles. 



47 



r II i: () I) E : 

Preparrd lor tin; occasion, at tlic i('(|Uf;st of ilic 
Comiriori Council, 

Hv Gkorgk p. Morris, Esc^., 

Was ilif;n siin^ by tin; New York Sacred Music Society, 
who occupied the Balcony of the Hall. 



From cypress and from laurel boughs. 

Arc twined, in sorrow and in pride, 
The leaves that deck the moulderinj:^ brows, 

Of those who for their country died : 
In sorrow, (hat tlu; sable pall 

Enfolds the valiant and the brave, 
In pride, that those wjio nobly fall 

Win ijarlands that adorn the j^rave. 

The onset — the j)ursuit — the roar 

Of victory o'er the routed foe, 
Will siarlle from their rest no more 

The fallen brave of Mexico. 
To Ciod alone such sj)irils yield ! 

lie took them in their strength and libtoni, 
\\ lirri gathering, on the tented-field, 

The ifdi Innds woNcn for (lie (omb. 



48 

The shrouded Hat^- — the drooping spear — 

The niutllod (hum — the solemn bell — 
The funeral train — the dirge — the bier — 

The niourn(.Ms' sad and last farewell — 
Are fading trii)utes (o the worth 

Of those whose deeds this homage claim ; 
But Time, who mingles them with earth, 

Keeps green the garlands of their fame. 

At the conclusion of which, the Benediction was pro- 
nounced by the Rev. Dr. Hardenbergh, of the Reformed 
Dutch Church. 

The body of Mr. Forbes was delivered to his friends, 
who removed it (o Central Hall, from whence his funeral 
took place as detailed in the proceedings of the 13th. 

The Pearson Guard took charge of the remains of their 
late Commandant, and were escorted to Brooklyn by the 
Independence Guard of this city. 

The other bodies were removed to the Governor's room, 
where the Baxter Blues mounted guard over them, until 
their removal on the next day. 



49 



Al noon, on the 13ili, the military assembled in pursu- 
ance of the following- order : 

FIRST BRIGADE, NEW YORK STATE MILITIA, 



BRIGADE ORDERS. 



New York, July 11th, 1848. 

The (roops of the First Regiment, in tliis city, will as- 
semble, under the command of Lieut. Col. Ryer, mounted, 
at the Arsenal at one o'clock, on Thursday, 13ih inst., to 
attend the remains of the gallant Baxter, Barclay, Gal- 
lagher, Chandler and Forbes, to their last resting place, 
(ireenwood Cemetery. Col. Stewart and staff will join 
the Brigadier and slall", at his c|unrters, 56 Franklin street. 

The Brigadier and stall" will accompany the command. 

The usual badge of mourning will be worn. 

Commandants of regiments will issue the necessary 
^orders to carry this order into effect, and furnish the Bri- 
gade Major with a corrected roster of their respective offi- 
cers, and a return of all delinquencies, to the Brigadier 
General, according lo law. 

By order, 

HENRY STORMS, 

Brigadier General. 

Jon\ A. BoGERT, Inspector. 
H. J. Storms, A. D. C. 



50 



At tliree o'clock, p. m., ilie bodies were removed from 
the City Hall, under the direction of the Commillee, and 
the procession formed in the following order : 

'i'wo detachments of Horse Guards. 



The Baxter J3hies, Lieut. Commandant Kissuer, 



BAXTER. 

Willi relatives in carri;iges. 

BARCLAY. 

Kt'latives in carriages. 

GALLAGHER. 

Relatives in carriages. 
CHANDLER. 

llelalives in carriages. 

FORBES. • 

llelalives in carriages. 

Friends of the deceased, and officers of the first and 
second Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers, in carriages and on 
horseback, together with a number of the field and staff 
officers of the citizen soldiery of New York. 



51 

Al three o'clock tlie seveial hearses were broug-ht ia 
front of the City Hall. 

The Baxior JBliies, under the coiuniand of Lieut. Coai- 
mandant Kissner, proceeded to the residence of Alex- 
ander S. Forbes, for the purpose of escorting- his remains 
to Greenwood Cemetery. 

The body of Mr. Forbes was accompanied by the mem- 
bers of " Strangers' Refuge Lodge, No. 4, L 0. of 0. F.," 
of wliich lie was a member, as also that of the " Rinir- 
g-old Association," of which he was first cai)lain. 

The Baxter Blues, accompanied by Lothian's celebrated 
l»iass band led — the rear was brought up by the Gulick 
Guard, under the command of Captain Carland, accom- 
panied by Wallace's band. 

The procession was upwards of a mile in length. 

They marched thus to Greenwood, where, on the liill, 
and overlooking New York, Staten Island and Brooklyn, 
the cavalcade rested. Here the bodies of the deceased 
were deposited in graves prepared for their reception, with 
tlieir bodies at right angles, so as to form a Roman cross, 
head to head, on the centre of which a monument is to be 
erected. 

An address was delivered over the body of Lieut. Forbes, 
in accordance with the rules of the Order. 

7 



52 

The Rev. Dr. Seabury, over the remains of Lieutenant 
Chandler, also made a most impressive prayer, which 
forced tears from many eyes. 

The Baxter Blues then fired three volleys, as a parting 
salute, over the graves of the fallen heroes, who were at- 
tached to them by more than the mere chances of war, or 
respect as soldiers who fell in defence of their country. 

Peace to their manes. 

*' How sleep the brave who sink to rest, 
With all their country's wishes blest." 

Respectfully submitted, 

THEODORE R. DE FOREST, 
JACOB L. DODGE, 
NIEL GRAY, 
WASHINGTON SMITH, 
THOMAS K. DOWNING, 
MORRIS FRANKLIN, 
ALEXANDER H. SCHULTZ, 
GEORGE H. FRANKLIN, 
PATRICK BRENAN, 
ROBERT P. GETTY, 
JOHN R. PAXTON, 
WILSON SMALL. 



hi: PORT OF THE CO M M ITT h:E 



APPOINTED TO PREPARE AND PRESENT 



MEDALS 



NEW YORK REGIMENT OF VOLUNTEERS, 



ROLLS OF THE COMPANIES, 



AS RETURNED TO THE COMHITTEE. 



At a meeting of the Board of Aldermen, held on the first 
of November, 1847, the following message was received 
from his Honor the Mayor, in relation to the victories ob- 
tained in Mexico by our armies. 



Mayor's Office, } 
October 27th, 1847, J 

To the Hon. Morris Franklin, 

President Board of Aldermen : 

Sir : — The recent intelligence from the seat of war, 
brings to us the gratifying assurance that the arms of the 



American troops have been, even against the most unpar- 
alleled odds, victorious, and that the flag of our country 
now floats in triumph over the capitol of ^Mexico. It 
seems to me fitting- (hat some public testimonial should be 
afforded of our sympathy with the gallant officers and 
soldiers who have, by their conduct in the battles near the 
city of Mexico, covered themselves with glory and won an 
imperishable fame ; and I therefore respectfully suggest 
the propriety of convening the Common Council on some 
future day, to be designnted by yourself, to take action on 
this subject. 

War is always to i^e deplored, it brings with it many sad 
and bitter associations, it carries mourning to the hearts of 
thousands ; but no true American could read the accounts 
of the glorious victories achieved by our countrymen, 
without a glow of emotion and pride ; no true American, 
however he might deplore a war, would hesitate at any 
sacrifice to ensure its prompt, honornble and successful 
termination. 

Some tribute is especially due from the city of New 
York, the great commercial emporium of the Western 
World. Her sons have been permitted to share in these 
glorious victories — she is called on to mourn some of the 
best and bravest of her citizens — she deplores her loss — 
she rejoices in their triumphs, and all her citizens, I feel 
well assured, would join in any testimonial by which they 
might show that the honor of our common country is dear 
to all. That in the words of the lamented hero who gave 
his life for that country, they say, with all sincerity, " Our 



i)0 

Country, un\y slie be always rig-hl — hiif, iii>lil or wiotig, 
Our Country.'' 

Respectfully, 

WILLIAxM V. BRADY, Mayor. 

A uiotion was made by Alderman Meserole, to refer 
the same to a Special Comuiittee of five members. 

Which was adopted. 

And the President appointed Aldermen Meserole, De 
Forest, Gilmartin, Smith and Crolius, such Committee. 

When the communication was sent to the Board of As- 
sistants, which after reading, concurred therein, and the 
following- members appointed as a Committee on the part 
of this Board, to wit : 

Assistant Aldermen Herring, Robertson, Coger, Hat- 
field and Clark. 

The Committee met from time to time, and after debate 
as to the best manner of conveying an expression on their 
part of the admiration of our citizens, agreed to recommend 
to the Board, in a report drawn for that purpose, that a 
medal should be struck by the Common Council, com- 
memorative of the battles in which our Vohinteer regiment 
had been engaged, and requested the President of the 
Board of Aldermen, as also the President of the Board of 
Assistants, to convene both bodies on the twenty-fifth of 
November, to hear the report and deliberate on the pro- 
priety of adopting the recommendation of the Committee. 



56 

Kivcli Boiuil li;iviii^- been called together arcorciiiiii lo 
tlij.' rt'coiniiK'nihtiion of the Conimiltee. 

The President of the Board of Aldermen stated briefly 
the object for which he hud convened the Board. 

Whereupon, the Joint Special Committee on the subject 
of the recent victories obtained by onr arms in Mexico, 
presented the following- report, preamble and resolutions, 
thereon. 

The Special Committee, to which was referred the com- 
munication of his Honor the Mayor, in relation to the late 
American victories in Mexico, respectfully 

REPORT : 

That in contemplating upon the recent results which have 
crowned the efforts of the American arms with victories 
unparalleled in the annals of modern warfare, they have 
found nuich to excite their feelings, and to call into action 
every patriotic emotion of the human heart; and while 
their sympathies have been excited in reflecting upon the 
desolations consequent upon a state of war, in the suffer- 
ings and death of so many gallant men, leaving behind 
them desolate widows and orphan children, they have 
sensibly realized that it is the duty of the American people 
to throw the shield of their protection around those noble 
sons who have sacrificed the endearments of their homes 
for the dangers of the field, and to testify in a becoming 
manner the estimation in which they hold the services of 
those who still survive to uphold the common standard of 



57 

our country, and to drop a tear of regret over the memory 
ol" those who have fallen in the hour of battle and found a 
soldier's grave in a hostile and distant land ; and we ven- 
ture the assertion that no parallel can be found in which 
so comparatively a small number of volunteers, fresh from 
the workshops and the plough, have penetrated so far into 
the country of an enemy, with snch complete and glorious 
success, encountering difficulties on every side, in the pas- 
sage of steep and almost impassable mountain barriers, 
deprived from night to night of their ordinary and necessary 
repose, liable at any moment to be surrounded and attacked 
by a numerous hostile foe, familiar with every pass of the 
country, and guarded and protected by a numerous soldiery, 
been engaged in more desperate and unequalled battles 
with more brilliant success, evincing on every hand more 
determined bravery than the history of the present war so 
brilliantly portrays, and we proudly challenge the nations 
of the world to present a series of victories, whicli under all 
the circuuistances connected with this campaign can com- 
pare with those achieved by our gallantarmy from Vera Cruz 
to the city of Mexico, and from Palo Alto to Buena Vista. 
It would be an ungrateful task, and might appear inviduous 
to draw comparisons where all have done so well, and 
crowned our banners with such glorious wreaths, for we can 
say in sincerity, and appeal with confidence to the truth of 
our assertion, tliat better or braver troops, in every attitude 
of soldiership, never faced an enemy or won a battle ; that 
every department of the army has proved itself of the high- 
est order of excellence ; that the officers have shown them- 
selves worthy of the confidence placed in their valor and 
their skill, in that they were always found in the front 
riink.» m the time vi danger, uniformly leading ther gal- 



58 



lam men upon the bloody field, and e.vhibiling upon all 
occns,ons the n,os. intrepid coolness, perfect self-possession, 
an, nnd.unled conrnge : in shct, ,h„t they have been 
skillini, prompt and prndent, and the large nnmber of those 
wl.o have fallen at the head of their co.nmnnds, speaks 
•nore elo,,.,e„tly and impressively than words can do of 
the conrage and gallantry which bore then, into the heat 
01 the deadly fight. 

In thtts contemplating upon the bravery of (he whole 
arnvy, u ,s u source of pnde and gratification to know, 
thatt he regnnent fro.n our own state has perfor.ned a 
conspicuous and important part in the recent struggle, and 
that n, the engagements of the twelfth and thirteenth of 
Vptember, the standard of the State of New Vork was the 
h.^' to float ,„ ,,„„„,,,, f,.„,„^,,^ ^^.^^11^, ^^ ^1^^ 

guarded fortress of Chapnltepec ; and although fron, thl 
«posed and dangerous situations in which thcv were so 
often placetl, but co.upara.ively few w,ll ever' return to 
'-■ — .hesautl fr,ends, yet it is a consolation to know 
ha those wo fell, fellas brave ,uen love to fall, figluin. 
the battles of their country, and expiring i„ ,he .'er^- artt 
of nctory. How en.phatically then are we called',; 
us .he representat,ves of a people who appreciate the ser' 
v.ces Of the.r noblesons, to give some evide'nce to then, and 
to the world, that their valor and their worth have not 
been lost upon those who claim them as their own. B„ 
how and M, what manner shall this be done? I, is true 
that we ,nay kindle in our st,-eets and public scp.ares 1^" 
fires, commemo,at,ve of our victories; we ma v cause tlL 
,everbe,-a„ons of .-annon to bo heard throughout ti,e cty ; our 
l-hhc bu.ldmgs ,uay glitter with the retlect.on of ten , on 



59 

Band lights ; our bells may ring a merry peal ; the military 
parade in all their splendor, and send forth a feu de joie 
amidst the shouts of an assembled multidude, yet these 
things are but for a moment, and leave no impression upon 
the minds of those whose victories they are designed to 
celebrate. 

It has occurred to your Committee with much force, that 
the present would be an appropriate occasion for the Com- 
mon Council of our city to testify to the value of the services 
rendered by the patriotic band of this state, by causing an 
appropriate medal to be struck, with characteristic designs 
and suitable inscriptions, commemorative of the Mexican 
campaign, and presenting one to each surviving officer and 
soldier of the New York State Regiment, and to the widow, 
eldest son, father or mother of those who may have fal- 
len, as a testimony of their regard for the valuable services 
rendered by them and their associates in defence of that 
National Standard which now waves in triumph from the 
walls of the capitol of Mexico. Such a design, though 
novel in this country, has appeared to your Committee as 
more appropriate, and better calculated to produce a favora- 
ble and permanent impression upon the minds of the re- 
cipients, than any other demonstration which could be 
made, stimulating them at all times, so to confirm their 
conduct, not only while remaining in the ranks of the army, 
but m their walks th-ough life, as to prove themselves 
worthy of such special notice from their country, and 
when their term of service shall have expired, and the 
clarion notes of war be hushed amidst the loud huzzas of 
returning peace, and they be permitted again to mingle 
in their domestic circles, what a satisfaction it will afford to 
8 



GO 



the mind of a retired soldier, as he shows his wounds and 
fights his battles o'er again, to point to the evidence which 
he has received of the confidence and regard of his native 
or adopted state, and when the time of his departure shall 
arrive, he will bequeath it to his children as a precious 
legacy, to be by them cherished and preserved as a valu- 
able memento of their father's services upon the fields of 
Mexico. 

Actuated by such feelings, the Committee most respect- 
fully submit for adoption, the following preamble and reso- 
lutions : 

Whereas, The recent triumphs of the American arms 
under the command of its brave and gallant officers, have 
excited the admiration of the world, and called forth loud 
and approving plaudits from every section of our country • 
and while their bravery and skill have been the theme of 
universal commendation, their moderation in the hour of 
victory has exemplified the gratifying fact, that while act- 
ing m the capacity of soldiers, they have not forgotten 
their characters as men or their responsibilities as moral 
agents, and 

mereas, The First Regiment of the New York State 
Volunteers have displayed that unbounded courage and 
fearless bravery which has caused the.n rather to seek, than 
avoui the post of danger, by which they have w^n for 
themselves the admiration of the State which they have 
so nobly represented, and added fresh laurels to our here- 
tofore victorious and gallant array, and 



61 

Whereas, It is the desire of the Common Council of the 
city of New York to testify their admiration of the gallantry 
displayed by the sons of the Empire State, in the unequal 
and hotly contested battles in which they have been em- 
gaged and to hand down to them and to their children a 
suitable demonstration that their services are appreciated 
by a grateful and confiding people, therefore, 

Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur), That our 
thanks are emphatically due, and are hereby tendered to 
the officers and privates composing the First Regiment 
of New York State Volunteers, who, in connection with 
their noble associates in the field of battle, have gained 
for our country victories unparalleled in the annals of 
modern warfare, and proved to an admiring world, that the 
raw recruits of a patriotic people can vindicate our national 
honor, and guard from danger our eagle and our stars. 

Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur), That the 
Common Council cause to be struck, under the direction of 
this Committee, a suitable medal, commemorative of the 
recent victories in Mexico, with appropriate designs and 
inscriptions, and each of the surviving officers and privates 
of the New York Regiment, and the widow, eldest son, 
father or mother of those who have fallen, which may sur- 
vive him in the order above enumerated, be presented with 
one on behalf of this Common Council, as a token of their 
confidence and regard, not only for their valor displayed 
upon the field, but for their moderation and forbearance 
in the hour of victory. 

Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur), That a copy 
of this report, together with the preamble and resolutions, 



62 

be duly authenticated under the seal of the city, and for- 
warded to the commandant of the Regiment of the New 
York Volunteers, to be by him promulgated among the 
other officers and privates in such way and manner as in 
his judgment may be consistent with the general regula- 
tions of the army. 

B. J. MESEROLE, 
WASHINGTON SMITH, 
CLARKSON CROLIUS, 
THEODORE R. DE FOREST, 
THOMAS GILMARTIN, 
SILAS C. HERRING, 
JAMES ROBERTSON, 
JOHN COGER, Jr. 
AMOS F. HATFIELD, 
G. F. CLARK. 

A motion was made that the report be accepted, which 
was unanimously adopted. 

The Committee now clothed with the necessary power 
to warrant their proceeding, appointed a sub-committee to 
examine into the cost and receive designs for the work • 
and at a subsequent meeting adopted their recommenda- 
tion, that the medals should be struck from fine silver, to 
be two inches in diameter, and the weight of each should 
not be less than two ounces, and that no diflference should 
exist between those intended for the officers or the private 
soldier, and gave the sub-committee power to order the 
execution of the work, which, after an examination of the 
designs placed before them, and the specimens of work 



63 

submitted to their inspection by different artists, finally 
adopted the design drawn by Paul Dugan, Jr., which 
had been submitted by Charles C. Wright, Esq., and 
awarded to the latter named artist the execution of the 
work ; which, it is needless for the Committee now to add, 
meets their highest expectation ; and enhances, if possi- 
ble, the merits and laurels of the artist. 

The following- description of the medal was furnished 
the Committee by the designer : 

On the reverse side is found a female figure, the head of 
which is surrounded with stars, representing the Genius of 
America, grasping in her right hand the fulmen, with her 
left she points to the rising sun; her left foot resting upon 
the cactus, while the Mexican serpent is lying prostrate 
beneath the American eagle ; mountains form the back- 
ground, the Palm indicating the South, and the walled 
city Vera Cruz, with the American shipping in the harbor. 
The figure rests on the stern of a Roman galley, which is 
intended to represent the naval power of the United States, 
and around the whole are the words, " Vera Cruz, Cerro 
Gordo, Chapultepec, and Churubusco." 

On the obverse side is to be found a new and beautiful 
arrangement of the city Coat-of-Arms, designed by Mr. 
Chapman, with the marginal inscription, " Presented by 
the City of New York, to the New York Regiment of 
Volunteers in Mexico." 

With the proceedings as above detailed, the labors of the 
Committee, under its original appointment closed, and 



64 

some of its active members went out of office on the organ- 
ization of the new Common Council, on the 9th day of 
May, 1848, which shortly after commencing its labors re- 
organized the Committee by the following appointments: 

Of the Board of Aldermen. — Aldermen De Forest, 
Crolius, Smith, Fitzgerald and Hatfield. 

Of the Board of Assistant Aldermen, — Messrs. Hibbard, 
Webb, Herring, Wood and Clark. 

The labors of the new Committee were confined to the 
preparation of the medals of those entitled to receive the 
same, under the following resolution of instruction, which 
passed both Boards : 

That the Special Committee on Medals to the First 
Regiment of New York Volunteers, be instructed to have 
the name of each individual to whom the medals shall be 
presented, engraved thereon. 

The Committee endeavored by all sources of information 
within their reach, to ascertain the probable number of 
medals required for the regiment, as well as the names of 
the recipients ; and from the frequent failures attendant on 
their exertion, were finally compelled to await the arrival 
of the volunteers themselves — after which, they were as- 
sured by Col. Burnett, that full and correct returns should 
be made by the commandants of the several companies. 
The number required being variously estimated from three 
hundred and fifty to eight hundred. The only communi- 
cation which gave them the first introduction to the labors 
before them, was the following : 



65 
Alderman Ue Forest, 

Chairman of Committee on Medals. 

Dear Sir : — Enclosed, please find a list of all the mem- 
bers of Company H, First New York Volunteers, who are 
present to receive their medals, upon being mustered out 
of service. The number of all those who have been en- 
rolled or enlisted since the organization of the regiment, 
was about 1100, including recruits sent to Mexico. 

The number of those who first joined the regiment, and 
who served in the seige of Vera Cruz, was about 780. 



The number of tiiose who served at Cerro Gordo, was 
about 650. 



The number of those who marched from Puebla to the 
attack on the city of Mexico, was 527. 

The number of those who remain of the original 780 is 
nearly 300. 

I have the honor to be 

Very truly yours, 

WARD B. BURNETT, 

Colonel, &c. 
Fort Hamilton, July 18, 1848. 

The medals for the above company were immediately 
prepared, according to the instructions of the Common 
Council, and delivered in person at Foit Hamilton, by the 
Committee. 



66 

Scattering returns of several of the companies from time 
to time reached the Committee, the medals for the mem- 
bers of which have been prepared as soon after application 
being made for them as possible, and on the day of the 
public reception of the regiment by the citizens, at Castle 
Garden, previous to their disbandmcnt, the Committee had 
the pleasure of delivering over to the staff of the regiment, 
and to the commanders of six of the companies, the medals 
prepared for such of the members as were actually present 
to receive the same. The subject being introduced by the 
following address, prepared at the request of the Commit- 
tee, and delivered in presence of the regiment, by the 
Hon. Morris Franklin, Esq., President of the Board of 
Aldermen. 

ADDRESS. 

The battle has ceased and the victory won, and we have 
devoted this day to welcome to their homes, and congratu- 
late upon their return, the surviving members of that gal- 
lant band, who at their country's call, sacrificed their do- 
mestic endearments and cheering associations which clus- 
ter around the family circle, for the dangers of the battle 
field, and the thrilling excitement of a soldier's life. But, 
alas ! where are so many of those noble spirits, who buoyant 
with hope, and looking forward to a brilliant career of 
victories, bade farewell to their wives, their children, and 
their friends, with the fond hope that when the conflict 
was ended, and the emblem of peace should wing it flight 
from one section of our country to the other, that they too 
would have rejoined that circle, to dry the tears which 
flowed over their departure, and to administer the balm of 



consolation to tlieir wounded spirits? They have found a 
soldier's grave in a distant land, where the tear of alVec- 
tion never will hedew the sod which covers their remains, 
or the hand of friendship weave a garland for tlieir tomb ; 
Ijut a grateful people will hold in lasting- remembrance the 
glory which they have achieved, and enrol their names 
among the patriots of America. 

In retrospecting, gentlemen, upon the brilliant career 
which has marked your progress, and the success which 
has crowned your eflbrts in the struggles in which you 
have been engaged, we have good reason to congratulate 
you, and our common country, that in a series of conflicts 
and victories, unparalleleil in the annals of modern war- 
fare, the bravery of the American soldiery, of which your 
regiment formed a conspicuous part, was eminently suc- 
cessful in maintaining the honor of our Hag against une- 
(|ualled Jiumbers, and amidst the embarrassments of a 
strange and unknown country, together with constant ex- 
posure to disease in a warm and unhealthy climate, you 
gained a series of victories of which the nations of the 
world might well be proud, and to which we can refer 
with feelings of national gratification and pride. 

Under the command of the gallant Shields, directed by 
the masterly mananivre of the chivalric Scott, the battle 
ground of Cerro Gordo will forever commemorate the valor 
of the New York Regiment, and weave a garland for their 
bravery which time will never fade. 

The glorious scenes of Contreras, and the awful carnage 
of Churubusco, where so many fell as martyrs in their 
9 



68 

country's cause, will form a page upon the record of our 
history, hrilliant as the proudest monuments of ancient 
glory, when Rome stood forth in all her splendor, the 
wonder and admiration of the world. 

At Chapultepec, your position was in front of Quitman's 
column in the attack upon the outer fortification of that 
strong and extensive fortress, and you were among the 
first to scale the castle walls, and to plant upon them your 
own regimental colors, in the name and on behalf of the 
American people. 

Throughout the war, and in every position in which 
you were placed, whether upon the plains, or upon the 
mountains, in the solid phalanx contending against fearful 
odds, or standing breast to breast in the narrow passes of 
the enemy; whether in the heat of combat or in the hour 
of victory, as soldiers you remembered your duty, and as 
men regarded the misfortune of the conquered and the 
slain. 

How cheering is the reflection, in looking back upon the 
war which has terminated, that no blot or blemish mars 
the standard of our country, but that its stars, continue to 
shine in all the brilliancy of their ancient glory, and that 
the results of the contest will prove to the nations of the 
world that while we are the advocates of peace, and desire 
to cultivate and maintain the most friendly relations 
throughout the globe, we can at all times maintain our 
national honor and vindicate our country from insult or 
oppression. 



GO 

The purpose of commemoratini»^ the events connected 
with tin's canipaig-n, and to testify the value in which we 
hold the services of the officers and men composing- the 
first regiment of our State Volunteers, the Couunon Coun- 
cil of the city of New York have caused to be prepared a 
silver medal, to he presented to each surviving- individual 
of that regiment, who enlisted therein prior to the passage 
of the resolution, and who have been in active service 
during the war, and to the nearest surviving relatives of 
those who have fallen ; and the honor has been conferred 
upon me to present the same to you on their behalf. Upon 
inspection of these medals, you will perceive that they 
bear upon one side the coat-of-arms of our city, with the 
name of the donors, and the name of the recipient; and 
upon the other is represented a female figure, with a halo 
of stars above her head, emblematical of the Genius of 
America; in her extended hand she grasps the fulmen, 
directed with determined looks towards the city in the 
distance, and with the other points to the sun, while the 
palm indicates the south ; one foot rests upon the cactus, 
and by the other stands the eagle — proud of the conquest 
which he has obtained over the Mexican serpent, which 
lies prostrate and within his power. Behind the figure 
appears the stern of a Roman galley, representative of the 
naval power of the United States ; mountains form the 
back ground of the vignette, and the walls represent the 
city of Vera Cruz, where, thanks to you and the noble 
prowess of our gallant Scott, the flag of our country now 
fioats in victory, and from which you commenced that 
triumphant march towards the capital of Mexico, which 
finally fell before the well-directed batteries of the Ameri- 
can soldiery, and you entered within its walls a proud and 



^0 



victorious army ; not to revel (Iumc, and to realize the 
fancied dreams of a bewildered imagination, but to claim 
possession, and wave, in token of your Iriumpb, the star- 
spangled banner of America, which now marks it as the 
fruits of victory — lor when the Halls of the Montezumas 
were in your possession, when the din of arms had ceased, 
the wounded been gathered together, and the slain col- 
lected for their burial, then the mingled notes of prayer 
and praise were raised to Him who controls the destinies 
of nations ; and your gallant general, with the tears of 
gratitude coursing down his rugged cheeks, passed along 
the line, and from the overflowings of a grateful heart, 
congratulated one and all upon the glorious victory which 
they had achieved! That must have been a time to try 
the feelings of the stoutest hearts, and cold indeed must 
those have been who could stand unmoved amidst a scene 
like this, and not realize the debt of gratitude which they 
had incurred, in being" spared from the fate of those who 
were dead and dying around them. We present these 
medals to you, not on account of the intrinsic value which 
they possess, but as an evidence that the people of our 
city appreciate the valor which 3^ou have displayed, the 
sacrifices you have endured, and the glory you have pur- 
chased for our republic. We rejoice with you that the 
blessings of peace have followed the victories of our arm}', 
and you are permitted to rejoin the scenes of your former 
associations, there to recoimt the dangers you have passed, 
the battles you have fought, the victories you have won, 
and to drop a tear over the memories of those who fell 
upon the field of battle, giving evidence by their death of 
their devotion to the cause in which they were engaged. 
\Vh<>n your eye rests upon tliis token of om' gratitude, and 



71 

you read inscribed thereon the names of Chapultepec, 
Chiirubusco, Cerro Gordo, and Vera Cruz, how many thril- 
luig- associations will they bring to mind connected with 
the events that mark their history, and call around you 
the persons of our Baxter, our Barclay, our Pearson, our 
Gallajjher, our Chandler and Van Olinda, who did good 
service in the hour of conflict, but who are now, save one, 
reposing upon Battle Hill, beneath the sombre shades of 
Greenwood. 

In this connection you will not fail to remember that 
brave and noble German, the adopted son of our country, 
the bold and fearless Romein, who was the standard bearer 
of the national flag in the attack upon Churubusco, when 
wounded and deprived of one hand, firmly grasped it with 
the other, and when that, too, was shattered and gone, 
gaining renewed courage from the dangers to which he 
was exposed, hugged it closely to his breast by the rem- 
nant of his remaining arm, and held it firmly there until 
a fatal shot brought him lifeless to the ground ; and a 
more fortunate hand, but not more devoted heart, caught 
it as he fell, and finally planted it upon the walls of the 
conquered city, amidst the loud huzzas of an enthusiastic 
and triumphant army. Take these medals, then, ye brave 
and gallant men, as emblems of your victories, and of the 
lasting gratitude of the people of our city, for the services 
which you have rendered ; dwell upon the history which 
thev are designed to commemorate ; tell, and rehearse it 
to your children and your companions; and when you 
shall be called upon finally to surrender up your lives, and 
yield obedience to the King of Kings, transmit them as 
precious boons to those who were tlu^ most nearly allied 



72 

10 you in life, and who will be most likely to cherish them 
after your decease. 

On behalf then, of the Common Council of the city of 
New York, I tender for your acceptance the medals to 
which I have referred, and ask you to receive them as an 
evidence that the people of our city, whose representatives 
we are, will cherish with the most lively recollections the 
services which you have performed in the prosecution of a 
war which has added a brilliant wreath to our country's 
glory, and cast a halo around your brows which the proudest 
monarch on his throne might envy. 

The tattered flag which is now before us, and the na- 
tional standard you so nobly defended, both of which have 
been returned to be placed among the archieves of our 
city, together with the evidence of the confidence and 
attachment of the people of the south in the presentation 
of the splendid banner, wrought by the fair hands of those 
who were indeed the last best gift of heaven to man, are 
" confirmation strong as proof of Holy Writ," that you 
are worthy of our confidence and entitled to our warmest 
thanks. 

Long may our country remain the home of those who, 
like you, are ever ready to defend it in the hour of danger, 
and to stand as sentinels around our political institutions. 
Then, indeed, may we rest secure ; and amidst the com- 
motions which are now disturbing the ancient land-marks 
of the European world, our country will remain as the 
model republic of the nineteenth century, to which the 
people of other countries will flock as does the doves to 



73 

the windows, and around whom we will throw the shield 
of our protection, as we gather them within the fold of the 
American nation, where we trust that animating emblem, 
the stars and stripes of our country, will ever wave — 

"O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave," 

The Committee have been daily engaged since in the 
examination and collation of returns, hearing the various 
and repeated applications made by the returned soldier, 
the father, the mother, and the widow; and though in 
some cases the gift has been received and lost by careless- 
ness immediately afterward, yet in others it is cherished 
with devotion, and kept with the care of a sacred relic. 

Respectfully submitted, 

THEODORE R. DE FOREST, 
CLARKSON CROLIUS, 
WASHINGTON SMITH, 
EDMUND FITZGERALD, 
AMOS F. HATFIELD, 

Of the Board of Aldermen. 

TIMOTHY R. HIBBARD, 
CHARLES WEBB, 
SILAS C. HERRING, 
JAMES E. WOOD, 
GEORGE F. CLARK, 

Of the Board of Assistants. 

New York, Oct 2d, 1848. 



74 

The Commiltcc herewith piiblisli the Rolls of the va- 
rious companies, as presented by their commonders, of 
those entitled to the medals, under the resolutions ; most 
of which have been delivered by the Committee, and 
some of which may never be applied for. 

The returns, as made, are as yet imperfect and cause 
some dissatisfaction to the relatives, as well as to the dis- 
abled, but returned volunteer. 

Major General WINFIELD SCOTT, U. S. A. 
Major General JOHN A. QUITMAN, U. S. A. 
Acting Chaplain REV. M. McCARTY, U. S. A. 

Medals to each of the above were presented by special 
resolution of the Committee. 

Colonel Ward B. Burnett, 

Lieut. Col. Charles H. Baxter, 

Lieut. Col. James C. Burnham, 

Major Garret Dyckman, 

Adjutant James H. McCabe, 

Surgeon Mina B. Halsted, 

Captain James F. Hutton, 

Sergt. Major Patrick O'Gorman. 

Quarter Mast. Sergt. Edward McCutcheon, 

" " " William H. Kearney, 

Musician David E. Carpenter, 

" Patrick Berry. 



75 



COMPANY A. 



t APT V1!V WILLIAM FORRV 



Lieut. 


Israel Miller, 


Private 


a 


Charles S. Cooper, 


u 


a 


Thomas J. Rogers, 


u 


Seigt. 


Robert F. Allason, 


a 


u 


Alexander Smith, 


a 


(( 


Jacob David, 


a 


Coipl. 


Jeremiah Ring, 


ii, 


u 


Thomas McGivern, 


i,i 


a 


Michael Clark, 


u 


Mus'n. 


Conrad Muler, 


it 


a 


Wm. J. Berghdorf, 


u 


Private 


! Henry Arckoll, 


u 


u 


John Adams, 


(.<. 


u 


Peter Burnds, 


n 


a 


William A. Coventry 




u 


James Duncan, 


u 


(I 


John Drew, 


u 


(( 


Patrick Fallon, 


i.(. 


u 


Thomas Foley, 


a 


it 


Thomas Farrell, 


u 



Thomas Hemming, 
Edwin W. Hacker, 
John 0. Hunt, 
David Kelly, 
John Larking, 
Charles D. Lyon, 
William McGuinass, 
James McCoy, 
John Moran, 
Stephen S. Moore, 
Daniel Mickle, 
John J. Marshall, 
John Munday, 
Rufus D. Pettit, 
Peter Surmer, 
Henry Stauping, 
D. S. Timmonds, 
Everhard Welter, 
John G. Wood, 
Benj. F. Wheeler. 



DISCHARGED. 



Sergt 

u 



Samuel Henry, 
James M. Bayles, 
Corpl. Louis All)Ough, 
Private Thomas W. Tobin, 
" Albert L. Waggoner, 
10 



2d. Lt. Tlios. W\ Sweeney, 
Private Lawrence Graur, 
" James L. Harper, 
" Erben Haun, 
Joel Williss, 



76 



Private John D. Bradley, 
" Julies G. Nordman, 
" Joseph Roworth, 
" James M. Parker, 
" John Callahan, 



Private David N. Decker, 
" Hendrick Mier, 
" Joshua Dudley, 
" John H. Orr, 
" William Breslen. 



DEAD. 



1st. Lt. Aug'ustiis Jacobus, Private Alfred A. Leonard, 
Sergt. Henry H. Satterly, " Benj. F. Bennett, 
Private George T. Rosbeeck, " Conrad Heicher, 
" Charles Gode, " Edward Fife, 

" Joseph Banks, " John P. Bouteer, 

Joseph Heicher. 



77 



COMPANY 15. 



CAPTAIIV ALFRED W . TAYI.OU. 



Isl ht. lloberl M. Floyd, 
2il " HypoliteDardonvill 
3d " Carl Becher, 
Isl Sgt. Carl BiittiM-brod, 
2d " Joseph Re utter, 
3d " John Abel, 
1st Cor. Jacob Hirschhorn, 
3d " John Henkel, 
4th " George Daub, 
Private David Darkowski, 
" John Bechtel, 
" Adam Behland, 
" Sylvester Beguet, 
" James Bowse, 
" Thomas Dixon, 
" John Ebor, 

Charles 



Private B. Grassenaiier, 
, " William Graven it/, 
" August Heiss, 
Michael Kuber, 
George Knortser, 
Raoul Dorsch, 






John Ludwig, 



" Allan McDonald, 
" Lindock Muir, 
" Otto Newbauer, 
" Christopher Newman 
" Conrad Pingell, 
" Peter Schon, 
" John Tweedy, 
" Carl Voss, 

Carl Wentzell, 
Moor head. 



SICK. 

Sergt. John Abel, Private Julius LaKe, 

Private Alexander Ijission. 



DISCHARGED. 



C'aptain Gustave de Bongars, Corpl. Francis Bonez, 

" Gustave deReichardt, " John Haab, 
1st I>t. Marpe Reed, Private Conrad Dorn, 



78 



2d Lt. Francis Dmiiins^, 
Private Martin Geier, 
" Edward Holtzke, 
*' John Hunt, 
'' James Kelly, 
" Hermann Konig-, 



Private Martin Dorn, 
" Geo. Liebold, 
" George Nazel, 
" Stefan Uberschutz, 
" Georg-e William, 
" Frederick Yiere. 



DEAD. 



Sergt. P. Vander. Romein-Private Frederick Hartwick, 



" Lewis Bovet,- 
Corpl. Christian Meyer, 
Private David Rathburn,^ 
" Peter Wiese,- 

Constantine Baillottz 
Charles Debegue, 
Philibert Dure, 
Carl Frantzins, 



Peter Hirshbach, 
John Kocher, 
Wm. Lackenmeyer, 
Olto Naeder, 
Francis Nolte, 
Valentine Putzold, 
Henry Slurmer, 
Jacob Wirth. 



NOTE. 



^Severely wounded .ii Chapultepec. 

biisco. 



-Killed at Cliurn- 



lUiBH 



COMPANY C. 



CAPTAIN OKURfiK B. H.VMi. 



lst.Lt. 


Francis G. Boyle, 


Private 


2d " 


Alexatuler H. Barber, 


> 


3d " 


I'^dward Coolc, 


u 


IstScrl. 


William Peel, 


a 


2d " 


Barthol. M. Lyncli, 


a 


3d " 


Piiilip Conway, 


i.i 


4tli" 


Geo. Gorliain Craig, 


^* 


IsfCoil 


. James McCann, 


(4 


2d " 


Martin Grosse, 


(( 


3d " 


Andrew Shaffer, 


U 


4tli " 


VVni. P. Mc In tyre, 


u 


Private 


! Samuel H. Beattie, 


ii 


a 


Richard Bmke, 


u 


li 


William Benton, 


(( 


li 


John Carter, 


a 


(( 


Thomas Raid, 


a 


a 


John Riissel, 


a 


a 


Philip E. Shannon, 





David Costig-an, 
Georg-e Congdon, 
Antonio Dabrouski, 
Charles Eccleston, 
Antonio French, 
Frederick Hartman, 
Bernard Hazen, 
John Jenkins, 
Adolph Kilgart, 
Angevine Leonard, 
William McVail, 
James McNorton, 
Owen Mohen, 
Philip Myers, 
Thomas Reed, 
Joshua Smith, 
Oliver A. Tilton, 



DISCHARGED. 

Private William Beaftie, Private Adam King, 

" William Boh, .'' C. Raniensnyder, 

" John Fnrren, " BenJ. Van Clief. 



DEAD- 

Capl. James Barclay, Private Andrew Golard, 

Private Abraham Dclamaler, '' Christian Clemrn. 

'riiom.-is Dodd, " Cornelius Lloyd, 

" Tiiuuihy Golden, " James Saxton, 

" John L.iwronce, 



80 



COMPANY D. 

CAPT.VI\ J.VY P. TAYLOR, 



1st Lt. 


Francis Pinto, 


Private 


2d " 


John Hill, 


a 


3d " 


Henry Dusenbury, 


u 


Sergt. 


Robt. M. Harper, 


(( 


(c 


Hugh Gainer, 


ic 


u 


Wm. S. McCormick, 


a 


11 


Henry Stanton, 


u 


(( 


John S. Whaley, 


i( 


(( 


Edw. R. Danbiirgh, 


ii 


Corpl. 


Peter Toell, 


a 


(C 


James E. Burch, 


u 


(( 


Wesley Smith, 


u 


(( 


John Davis, 


(( 


Private 


Daniel S. Murphy, 


a 


a 


Michael Mentze, 


u 


u 


Robt. W. Anderson, 


(C 


(( 


John Coyne, 


a 


(C 


Abram M. White, 


a 


li 


Francis Willick, 


a 


n 


Edward Dunn, 


a 


n 


Abram M. Deremer, 


u 


(C 


Daniel Hawley, 


u 


(.1 


Edward Schiller, 


u 


<.i 


John Ashh*y, 


.c 


41 


John B. Halfpenny, 


(C 


Ik 


James Kelly, 


ii 



Richard T. Jefferson, 
Reuben Jones, 
James Kennada, 
James Lennox, 
Michael Larvey, 
Michael Lewis, 
Alexander Morand, 
Edward Morand, 
William McCanna, 
John McNulty, 
Payton J. Nodine, 
Patrick Ryan, 
Dan. S, Standerwick, 
Michael Sullivan, 
Goodrich Spaulding, 
Lawrence Strobill, 
James Topley, 
John B. Cobb, 
Joseph Lewis, 
Phillip Lockwood, 
James Manning, 
Geo. R. McFadden, 
Freedom G. Newton, 
Charles Floyd, 
William Wiley, 
William Moulton, 



81 



DEAD. 



'orpl. Jesse Carman, 
vate Joseph Adams, 
Patrick Bchen, 
Henry R. Browne, 
John Cooper, 
Thomas Conally, 
Luke Cassada, 
Samuel D. Duncan, 
Orlow Farrall. 
John Wright, 



ale Jolni W. Joyce, 
John C. Johnson, 
Jacoh Laud, 
Nicholas Mead, 
Nicholas Mooney, 
Charles E. Oakley, 
James Roe, 
James Smith, 
Wm. H. Thompson, 



82 



COMPANY E. 



<APTAIi\ I«)«EKT A. CARTKK. 



Isl I.I. 

2(1 ^' 
IstSegt 
2d " 
3d " 
4ili " 
1st Cor 
2d " 
3d " 
4tli " 
Private 



J. VV. Henry, Private 

I);i\ id W. Dorcniiis, " 

. Jo.sej)h Corniir, " 

John L. Trainor, " 

Francis Crawford, " 

Edward Slowly, " 

, Henry Betton, " 

Phillip Ewault, " 

Martin Duncan, " 

George Piatt, '' 

James Armstrong, '• 

William Bines, " 

John Bann, " 

Francis Conroy, " 

Sl(;|)hen Connor, "" 

Mark Chrieser, '' 

Marrin Folen, " 



George Geiren, 
Robert Gannon, 
John Graham, 
William Hunter, 
John Hoe, 
Mark Kahn, 
William McCoppin, 
William Miller, 
William Manson, 
George Poos, 
David Simmons, 
Alexander Sivim, 
James Searl, 
John Thyson, 
David Wells, 
Chris. H. Dunn, 
John W. Lyon, 



DISCHARGED. 

Private W, D. Hamilton, Private Joseph Croto, 
" Albert Lombard, " Timothy Dimovan. 

" John H. Leech, 



DKAD. 



Capt. Charles H. Pearson, Lienl. Edgar Chandler^ 
1st Ll. (Jarre! Fi(/ger;ild. Private George W. Blake^ 



83 

COMPANY F. 
cAPTAii\ s. s. gal.lagiig:r. 



1st 


Lt. 


James G. Hillis, 


Private 


Charles Keenan, 


2d 


a 


E. B. Carroll, 


u 


James Ludlam, 


3d 


(( 


Michael A. Curran, 


(( 


James Murray, 


1st 


Sgt 


. W. H. Warren, 


« 


Peter J. Mumpton, 


2d 


u 


G. H. Priiyn, 


il 


John E. Murphy, 


3d 


u 


John F. Hatfield, 


(( 


Peter McCann, 


4th 


a 


Josiah Camphell, 


(( 


John McKeown, 


1st 


Cor 


.John Acker, 


a 


Scott McKay, 


2d 


<c 


M. Conlin, 


u 


John Myers, 


3d 


<( 


Thomas Suppis, 


a 


Michael Nolans, 


4ih 


u 


A. J. Constantino, 


i( 


John Nelson, 


Pri^ 


v^ate 


John Green, 


(( 


Henry Otten, 






W. B. Parisien, 


a 


Wm. Quackenbusb, 






Wm. Anderson, 


a 


Peter Reilly, 






Charles M. Brower, 


(( 


William Taylor, 






Charles Bath, 


<( 


Henrich Vansell, 






John Coss, 


u 


John Warren, 






John Cox, 


(( 


Joseph Warren, 






John Hink, 


11 


Edward Wilson, 






Barney Harrigan, 


u 


Garret Barry, 






Frederick Hartman, 


u 


William Tompkins, 






Joseph A. Jones, 


li 


Henry Hardenbrook 






Thomas Dooley, 


a 


Joseph Boyle, 



11 





COMPANY G 






CAPTAIN DANIEL 


E. HUNGERFORD. 


Lieut. 


M. N. Croft, 


Private 


James Hart, 


u 


Henry Gaines, 


u 


Thomas Healy, 


a 


John Wilson, 


u 


Daniel Montgomery, 


Sergt. 


Chas. A. Sammons, 


ii 


John Morton, 


(i 


Chas. L. Thompson, 


ii 


James Munigan, 


u 


Wm. H. WiUiss, 


ii 


John McDonnell, 


a 


Chas. F. Hall, 


ii 


James McGill, 


Corpl. 


Alb'n K. P. Wallace, 


ii 


John Noyes, 


a 


Henry Rogers, 


a 


Chas. E. Patterson, 


a 


William Doyle,' 


a 


Thomas Powell, 


i( 


John Splain, 


ii 


John Smith, 


Private 


John Brown, 


a 


Arad Smith, 


(( 


Barnes Nelson, 


a 


Alonzo Sanborn, 


(C 


James Cronley, 


ii 


John H. Snyder, 


(( 


Dominick Nelson, 


a 


William Shirtleff, 


ii 


Bernard De Young, 


a 


Adam Saun, 


u 


James Gibson, 


c( 


Lot Swift, 


u 


Lewis De Grand val 


a 


William Hart, 




DISCHARGED. 





Lieut. William H. Brown, Private Ebenezer Fish, 



Private James Wilson, 

" Thomas P. Bowen, 

" Edward Carr,' 

" Varnum VanSlyke,' 

" Martin Finney, ^ 

" William Hart,^ 

" Charles Crap,=» 

" Peter Farley,* 



James Smith," 
John McKinney,* 
Frederick Fox,^ 
John Dillon, 
Josiah B. Davis, 
John 0. Donnell,-^ 
James Peck. 



85 



DEAD. 



Corpl. Jacob Albrecht,' 

Private Orrin Ehvood,' • 

" Robert Devoe,'" 

Bernard Crummie, ' ' 
Andrew Kline, ' "* 
Alex. Rodney,'" 
John Shaw,^ 
Joseph A. Dennis,* 



Pr 



vate Charles Wheeler,' • 
William Bell,'> 
John Benjamin,' ' 
Thomas Topham,* ' 
Chas. E. Randall,'* 
Peter E. Butcher,' ' 
Frank Smith,' ' 
Thomas Ingham,' ' 



NOTE. 



' Wounded at Churubusco. 
2 Lost his leg at " 

" Wounded twice at " 
*Lost his arm at " 
* Wounded at city of Mexico. 



■^Disabled while prisoner of 

war. 
"Killed atPuebla. 
" " at the Garita de Belen 
' " " at Churubusco. 



'Ruptured while in service. ' 'Died in Hospital. 



86 

COMPANY H. 

CAPTAI.V ADDISOX FARXSAVORTH. 



1st Lt. Jacob Griffin, Jr., 
1st Sgl. Henry Mooihead, 
2d " Tyler W. Gray, 
3d " Geo. A. Seaman, 
4th " Jarvis Streeter, 
1st Cor. John Butler, 
2d " Hezekiah Dare, 
*3d " John Mackey, 
4th " John Govver, 
Mus'n. Daniel O'Keefe, 
Private James Brady, 

" Wm. H. Brumaghin, 
" William White, 

Michael 



Private Asa Burke, 




George Craig, 




Jeremiah Daly, 




Alfred Dougherty, 




John H. Duffy, 




William Gross, 




James Leary, 




Alonzo Mather, 




George Porter, 




Norman Van Beuren, 




R. P. Van Ranken, 




Henry Webb, 




Cornelius Winters. 



Butler. 



DISCHARGED. 



1st Sgt. James Ashton, 
4th " William Boyd, 
1st Cor. Robert Haines, 
Private Nathan Bowen, 
" William T. Burgess, 
" Henry Clemshire, 
" Peter Duross, 
'^ John W. Lyon, 



Private Alvin McCune, 
" Joshua L. Simmons, 
" Patrick Crimiere, 
" James Dever, 

Patrick Roney, 

John Allison, 

John Connor, 

Robert Dyes. 



87 



Capt. Abram Van Olinda,' Private Sopphe Myers, 
1st Lt. Charles F. Gallagher, " Joseph Richardson, 
Private William A. Jeffries, " Samuel S. Steele, 
" Geo. E. Waddell, " David Niblock, 

" William Allison, ^ " Ransen Pettit. 

NOTE. 

' Killed at Chapultepec- ^ Killed at Churubusco. 



S8 



COMPANY I. 



CAPTAIN MORTOX FAIRCHILD. 



1st Lt. David Scannell, 
2d " William Wiley, 
Private Jacob R. Riley, 
" Augustus Brelett, 
" Samuel Duffin, 
" Thomas Normand, 
" W^illiam McGuire, 
" Thomas L. Decker, 
" George Pemberton, 
" Benjamin Romain, 
" David Cairy, 
" John Coleman, 
" William Daily, 
" Joseph Duffin, 
" Joseph Franklin, 
" Joseph Fly, 
" John S. Gardner, 

Robert. 



Private Samuel Gardiner, 

" James Higgins, 

" James Hutton, 

" Richard Headrick, 

" Marx M. Hart, 

" Patrick Minatur, 

" Henry Phillips, 

" Edward H. Ross, 

" Thomas Rowley, 

" George W. Struthers, 

" Philip Streeter, 

" James Stivers, 

" George Thistleton, 

" William Zwick, 

" Thomas L. Doty, 

" James Mullen, 

" Richard Oxten, 

Dullay. 



DISCHARGF.D. 



Private John Sanders, 

Patrick McCarty, 
" Frederick Stokes, 
" John Hepburn, 
" Harvey Lake, 



Private George L. Wilber^ 
" Henry Bird, 
'' John C. Matthews, 
'* Horace J. Meech, 
'' Leonard W^. Howes, 



Daniel Robertson. 



89 



DEAD. 



Private Charles M. Tucker, Private Joseph Emmons, 
" James Mullen, " Thomas Halsted, 

" Moses D. Day, " Ebenezer Cook, 

William Wilbur. 



90 



COMPANY K. 

C APTAI.\ CHARLES H. IX!VIS, 



1st Lt. John RafTerfy, 
2d " James S. McCabe, 
3d " Henry Dusenbury, 
1st Sgt. John McClean, 
2d " EHphalet Everett, 
3d " Georg-e Beebe, 
4th " Lewis D. Frost, 
1st Cor. P. N. Lawler, 
2d " Frederick Cook, 
3d " Henry S. Johnson, 
Private Harnian I. Beach, 



James Bowen, 
John Boyce, 
William Burns, 
F. H. Bennich, 
C. W. Baker, 
J. R. Baker, 



Private John B. Beattie, 

' John Collins, 

' William Dempsey, 

' Augustus DoUinger, 

' Mathew Dougherty, 

' Arrin Harrington, 

' Peter Jacobs, 

' Ferdinand Labahn, 

' Michael F. Morris, 

' James Plate, 

' James H. Pitts, 

' William Rhoads, 

' John G. Snow, 

' Jacob C. Somers, 

' Gushard Speakhart, 

' James F. Tompkins, 

' Timothy Wandell. 



DISCHARGED. 



Ist Lt. William Taylor, 
Sergt. Joseph Henriques, 
" William Hughes, 
" Samuel D. Sirrine, 
Corpl. Alexander G. Moran, 
Private John D. Baker , 
" Charles T). Lane, 
" Henrv S. Woods, 



Private William Jones, 

" John Cook, 

" Edward Williams, 

'' William Stow, 

'' Benjamin F. Bross^ 

" James 0. Hern, 

" Thomas L. Tombs, 

'' Randolph Tuttle. 



DEAD. 



Private Patrick Pagan, 
" James Maxlum, 
" Chrtirles Folley, 
" Jolin L. Young-, 
'' Andrew Van Allen, 
" Alexander Cook, 
William Millon, 



Private Thomas Burnett, 



Jasper Lynt, 
Charles Robbins, 
Henry Havern, 
Thomas Mullins, 
Nathaniel J. Randall, 
Thomas K. Boerum, 



James Ilorton. 



12 



REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE 



APPOINTED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIIE 



RECEPTION 



FIRST REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS 



ox THEIR RETURN FR03I MEXICO. 



The officers and men of the First Regiment of New York 
Volunteers being, with the otlier troops composing- the 
American army, on their return to their country and their 
homes from Mexico, after the conclusion of the war, it was 
deemed that a public and appropriate reception, under the 
direction of the municipal authorities, should be tendered 
them on their arrival in this city, as a testimony of the esti- 
mation entertained by their fellow-citizens of the gallant 
bearing of the regiment, evinced in some of the most bril- 
liant trimuphs of American arms, especially at the battle of 
Churubusco, and at the storming of Chapultepec, at both of 
which places it displayed a courage and a heroism which 
have Juslly distinguished it as one of ibe bravest regiments 
of the whole army, during the war. 



94 

]( was also tleeiiiod proper to celebrate at the same time, 
the restoration of tlie peaceful relations which fornu'rlv 
existed between our own and the neig^hboring^ republic of 
Mexico. 

Accordingly, on the 26th of June, 1848, in the Board of 
Aldermen, the following preamble and resolution were pre- 
sented by Alderman Smith, viz: 

Who-eas, Official information has been received, that 
peace has been restored between this country and Mexico, 
and that the gallant soldiers who have nobly sustained 
themselves upon many a well-fought field and shed a 
lustre upon the American arms, are now about to return to 
their respective homes ; and 

Whereas, Among- those most honorably distinguished, are 
the men composing the New York Regiment, who are daily 
expected to arrive in this city ; and 

Whereas, It has been usual, upon the return of peace, 
for our citizens to mingle in some ])iiblic demonstration 
by which they may express their gratitude for so great 
a blessing, and testify to those who may have partici- 
pated in the strife of arms, the value in which they 
hold their services, and congratulate them upon their es- 
cape from danger, and a safe return to their families and 
homes ; therefore, 

Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur,) That a 
Committee be now aj)poin(ed to take this subject into con- 
sideration, and u|)on the returu of tiui troops of our State 



95 

from .Mexico, (o rccomniciid cuid cany oiil such demonstra- 
tioti as in flicir judgmoat may bo (it and proper, for the 
purpos(> of tos(ifyini>- our uratilication upon the return of 
peace, and the complete triumpli of llie American arms in 
tlie recent contest in Mexico. 

The same were unanimously adopted by the said Board, 
and Aldermen Smith, De Forest, Gray, Libby and Swart- 
wout were appointed such Committee on the part thereof, 
the President being" added thereto. 

On the same day, at a meeting of the Board of Assistant 
Aldermen, Mr. Hihbard also presented the following' pream- 
ble and resolutions in relation to the same subject, viz : 

W/iei'eas, It is becoming a great and mag'nanimous peo- 
ple, while rejoicing in tlie restoration and blessings of 
peace, to be mindful also of those whose personal sacrifices, 
privations and valor won a boon so grateful to human- 
ity ; and 

Whereas, It is understood that the First Regiment of 
New York Volunteers have embarked from Vera Cruz, 
and juay be expected shortly to arrive in our city ; and 

Whereas, Every man comprising our small army in 
Mexico, was expected to do his duty, and it appears 
that the individual fortitude, conduct and bravery of 
our volunteers full}' sustained the expectations of their 
fellow-citizens — covering themselves with imperishable re- 
nown — elevating the standard and military character of 
their country at home and abroad — deserving alike the 
gratitude and benediction of a free people; therefore, be it 



95 

Resolved, Tlinl the city of New York, not unniindliil of 
the merit and services of those brave men, who volunteered 
to represent her in the army of our common country upon 
the soil of Mexico, should welcome their retiun to their 
country, families and friends, with grateful acknowledg- 
ments for the faithful and brilliant manner in which they 
have fnlfdled their duties — in nobly sustaining our honor 
and flag on the battle fields of Mexico — in their moderation 
in victory — in their humanity to th(> sick and wounded of 
the enemy — as well as th(>ir irrepressible energy a)id valor 
in action. 

Resolved, (if the Board of Aldermen concur,) That a 
Committee a five be appointed to arrange the proi)er recep- 
tion of the ofljcers, non-commissioned oflicers and privates 
of the First Regiment, of New York Volunteers, upon their 
arrival, and to escort them through the city ; and that the 
military, civic societies, and citizens generally, be invited 
to join with the Common Council in their reception. 

Which were likewise unanimously adopted, and Assist- 
ant Aldermen Hibbard, Jamison, Miller, Schultz and Getty 
appointed such Committee on the part of the Board, toge- 
ther with the President thereof. 

Both sets of preambles and resolutions were respectively 
concurred by the Board of Aldermen and the Board of 
Assistant Aldermen, and the same Conmjiltees appointed 
thereon. 

They were subset] nently approved by his Honor the 
Mavor. 



97 

Tlio Joint Committee, iu accordance tlieiowitli, met for 
ilie (irst time on the evening of the 29th of June last, and 
after oiganizin'r, and making some progress in relation to 
the subject committed to their charge, adjourned to the 6th 
of July following, — the Secretary being directed to invite 
Major General Sandford, and Brigadier Generals Storms, 
Morris, Hall and Ewen, to attend their subsequent meet- 
ings. 

The Chief Engineer of the Fire Department was also 
invited (o be present. 

On ihc 6th of July, the Committee re-assenibled, and 
were ihen informed, from a reliable source, that a portion 
of the regiment, under the command of Major Garret 
Dyckman, had embarked at New Orleans, on the 27t[i of 
June, in the steam bark "' Edith,"" for Fort Hamilton. 
Their arrival was consequently expected within a few 
(In vs. 

The Conuuitiee being possessed of no certain information 
m relation to the time of departure, or expected arrival, of 
the remaining companies, and they also being desirous that 
the whole regiment should l)e present at the reception about 
to be tendered it, it was determined to communicate wi(h 
the War Department, in order that directions might be 
given or issued therefrom to continue in the service, the 
rompam'es which should first arrive, until the arri\alof the 
whole regiment. 

In accordance tlierewith, Major General Sandford, and 
Ahlerman Smith, the Cliairmnn of the Committer, were 



98 



appointed a snb-Comiiiittee to communicate with tlieWar 
Department in relation to this subject, as well as to request 
permission for the other troops that might be at the time 
on this station, to unite in the ceremonies of the occa- 
sion. 

Major General Sandford, one of this sub-committee, sub- 
sequently addressed the following letter to the Secretary of 
War. 

" Ni;w York, July 7, 1848. 

My Dear Sir : 

The Coporation of the city of New York has made 
extensive arrangements for a public reception of the 
New York Volunteers, upon their return from Mexico, and 
has prepared medals, with suitable inscriptions, to be pre- 
sented to every member of the regiment. 

The military of the city, with the civic societies, and the 
citizens at large, are making preparations to unite in this 
reception, and it is intended to combine with the occasion 
a celebration of the peace with Mexico, and the triumphant 
return of our army. 

Under these circumstances I address you, by request of 
the Conunittee of Arrangements of the Common Council, 
to request that you will give directions to the commanding 
officer on this slarion, not to disband any part of the regi- 
ment of New York Volunteers, until the whole are here 
and prepared to attend this p\d)lic reception ; and that you 
will give permission that all tbe troops from Mexico, which 
may then be on this station, may be brought ()\cr lo (he 
city for the purpose of uniting in the celebration. 



99 

It is understood here that seven companies of the New 
York RegimejU are now on their way to this port from New 
Orleans ; and that tlie remaining three companies are 
coming- here from Vera Cruz direct. If tliis be so, they 
will probably arrive within a few days of each other, and 
you will confer a special favor u])on (he city by retaining- 
the companies which arrive th'st, until the others appear. 

I am very respectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

CHAS. W. SANDFORD. 

The Hon. W. L. Marcv, Secretary of War." 

On the eleventh day of July the " Edith," with the de- 
tachment, under the command of Major Dyckman, on 
board, consisting of four companies, viz : Companies A, B, 
E and H, anchored at the Quarantine. Her arrival was 
hailed by the display of the national colors from the City 
Hall, and the various hotels and public buildings in the 
city, as well as from the numerous shipping in the port. 

No answer as yet, on the 13th of July, having been re- 
ceived by Major General Sadnford to his letter to the Secre- 
tar}' of War, and the remaining companies of the regiment 
not having arrived, it was feared from the " general orders" 
published by the department, in relation to the discharge 
of the Volunteers on their arrival at their respective desti- 
nations, that those companies which were already here, 
would be discharged before the arrival of the remaining 
ones, unless the request of the Committee in this respect 
was complied with. Accordingly, on that day, hi? Honor 

l.i 
L.ofC. 



100 

the Mayor addressed a letter to the Adjutant General of 
the army, at Washington, embracing- a similar request. 

An answer was soon afterwards, on the 16th of July, re- 
ceived thereto, expressing the regret that the existing ar- 
rangements of the department could not be changed ; and 
also a copy thereof was received on the same day by Major 
General Sandford, with an endorsement requesting him to 
accept it as an answer to his letter on the same subject to 
the Secretary of War. 

The following is a copy of the letter received by his 
Honor the Mayor, from the Adjutant General : 

Adjutant General's Office, ^ 
Washington, July 15, 1848. ^ 

Sir : — I have received and laid before the Secretary of 
War, your letter of the 13th inst., requesting that the dis- 
charge of the New York Regiment of Volunteers may be 
postponed until the arrival of all the companies, with a 
view to a public reception of the regiment as a body, by 
the Common Council of the city of New York. 

With every disposition tu further the views of the city 
authorities, the Secretary of War doubts whether, indepen- 
dently of the known wishes of the Volunteers themselves, 
for an immediate discharge on reaching the United States, 
it would be legal to order them to be retained in service, 
after their arrival at the several points of rendezvous, lon- 
ger than may be absolutely necessary to prepare the rolls, 
Ikc.y for their muster luid discharge us indicated in the 



101 

"general orders," heretofore published, and he therefore 
instructs me to express his regret, that the existing arrange- 
nienls cannot be changed. 

I have the honor to be, 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant 

[Signed] R. JONES, A, G. 

W. F. Havemeyer, Esq., 

Mayor of the city of JYew York. 

The department having, therefore, refused for the rea- 
sons set forth in the letter of the Adjutant General, to in- 
terfere with the orders, heretofore published, two of the 
companies, viz : Company E, Capt. Robert A. Carter, and 
Cou)pany II, Capt. Addison Farnsworlh, were on or about 
the 22d of July, mustered and discharged from the service 
of the United States. 

On the same day, the 22d, the remaining companies 
with the stafi' of the regiment, under the command of Lt. 
Col. James C. Burnham, arrived in the ship "Fanny For- 
rester." They were soon after disembarked and took up 
their quarters at Fort Hamilton. 

In the meantime, the Committee had progressed with 
and nearly perfected their arrangements, and were only 
awaiting the arrival of this last detachment, in order to 
complete them, and fix the day for the reception. The 
detachment, therefore, having arrived, they proceeded to 
complete the arrangements, and, on consultation with Col. 



0? 



Burnett, the coiiiuiaiidor id' the reoimcMit, ciml oilier uflTicers 
thereof, Thursday the 27th of July, was designated as the 
day. 

Among other arrangements, it wasconchided that on the 
day of reception, the Common Council should proceed in 
a steamboat, to be |)rociired for the occasion, to Fort Ham- 
iUon, and having received the regiment on board, escort it 
to Castle Garden, where his Honor the Mavor would re- 
ceive the officers and men composing it, and bid them wel- 
come in the name of the citizens of New York. 

The ceremony l>eing concluded, they were to be receiv- 
ed by the military, under the command of Major General 
Sandford, drawn up in line on the Battery, with the high- 
est military honors, and thence escorted by them through 
the various streets of the city, to be designated as the line 
of march in the programme of the day, back to the Castle. 

On their return to the Garden, the Colors of the Regiment, 
together with the one presented to it by Major General 
Scott, in the city of Mexico, as a distinguished mark of his 
estimation of its bravery exhibited in the battles in which 
it was engaged, were to be presented to the city, and re- 
ceived on the part thereof by his Honor the Mayor. 

After the conclusion of this ceremony, the medals pre- 
pared under the direction of the Joint Medal Committee, 
by the order of the Common Council, were to be present- 
ed by the Hon. Morris Frankhn, President of the Board of 
Aldermen, to the officers and men of the regiment enti- 
tled to receive them. 



103 



The r(*g"iment was then to return fo Fort Hamilton, under 
the escort of the Common Council. 

The Committee also concluded to furnish the regiment 
refreshments on board of the boat, both on coming up 
from unci on returning to the Fort. 

In order the more fully to carry out a portion of the fore- 
going arrangements, 

Messrs. Schultz, Hibbard and Small, and tlie Chairman 
of the Committee, were appointed a sub-Committee to 
procure a suitable boat for the occasion. 

Messrs. Schultz, Libby and Small, weie also appointed 
a sub-Committee, to cause the necessary refreshments to 
be furnished. 

On account of the large number of guests to be received 
at Fort Hamilton on board of the boat, it was concluded 
that no invitations should be extended to accompany the 
Common Council, except to^Major General Sandford, Brig- 
adier Generals Storms, Morris, Hall and Ewen, with their 
respective stafl's, and the members of the press. 

A special invitation was directed to be sent to Major 
General Scott, then being on a visit for the benefit of his 
healih at Rockaway, Long Island. The same was subse- 
quently dispatched by a special messenger. 

The Committee had at first intended to embrace a civic 
and military procession ; but after further consideration, it 
was determined to dispense with the civic portion of it, so 
as to have a purely military one, it being in the opinion of 
the Committee, more consonant with the occasion. 



104 



ACCORDINGLY THE FOLLOWING ORDERS ISSUED BY THE 
VARIOUS COMMANDERS OF THE 



MILITARY, 



WERE LAID BEFORE THE COMMITTEE 



FIRST DIVISION— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA. 



DIVISION ORDERS. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

This division will parade on Thursday next, the 27th 
inst , (in concurrence with the arrangements made by the 
Corporation of the city, for the purpose of receiving the 
First Regiment of New York Volunteers, upon their tri- 
umphant return from the battle-fields of Mexico. 

The division line will be formed upon the Battery, with 
the right on Whitehall, at quarter past 10 o'clock, a. m., 
precisely, immediately after which, the Volunteers will be 
received by the division. 

The salute upon the landing of the volunteers at Castle 
Garden, will be fired under the direction of Brigadier 
General Morris, of the second brigade. 

Brigadier General Hall, of the third brigade, will direct 
two troops of horse to report to the Division Inspector upon 



105 ' 

the Battery, at 10 o'clock, precisely, and a troop to report 
to the Major General at the same hour, at his quarters, for 
escort duty. 

By order of 

C. W. SANDFORD, 

Major General. 
R. C. Wetmore, Division Inspector. 



FIRST BRIGADE— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



BRIGADE ORDERS. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

This brigade will in pursuance with division orders, parade 
on Thursday next, the 27th inst., for the purpose of re- 
ceiving the First Regiment of New York Volunteers. The 
line will be formed on the Battery, at 10 o'clock, a. m. 

By order of 

Brigadier General STORMS. 
J. A. Bogart, Brigade Major. 
H. Johnson Storms, Aid-de-(.'ainp. 



106 



SECOND BRIGADE— N. Y. S. MILITIA, 



BRIGADE OKDERS. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

In coinpliancc with ilivisioii orders of this date, the hrig- 
ade will parade on Thursday next, the 27tli inst., for the 
purpose of receiving- the First Regiment of New York 
Volunteers. 

The line will he formed on the Battery at 10 o'clock, 
A. M., precisely. 

The national salute will be fired by the fourth regiment, 
upon the landing of the troops. 

Col. Yates will make a requisition upon the Commissary 
General for the necessary ammunition. 

By order of 

Brigadier General MORRIS. 

Fred'k. a. Woodworth, 

Acting Brigade-Major. 



1U7 
THIRD BRIGADE— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



BRIGADE ORDERS. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

In compliance with the above Division order, this 
Brigade will parade on Thursday next, the 27th instant, 
for the purpose of receiving the First Regiment New York 
Volunteers. 

The line will be formed on the Battery, at 10 o'clock, 
A. M., precisely. 

Brigade staff will assemble at the General's quarters, at 
half past nine o'clock, a. m. 

The resignation of Colonel Ebenezer Jessup, of the 
Ninth Regiment, has been accepted, and he is honorably 
discharged the service. Lieut. Col. Ferris will assume the 
command of said regiment, until further orders. 

Colonel Ferris will direct the troop of horse belonging to 
the Ninth Regiment, as an escort for the Brigadier General, 
to report at his quarters, at No. 16 White street, at half past 
9 o'clock. 

By order of 

W. HALL, Brigadier General > 

J NO. S. Northrop, Aid. 
14 



108 
FOURTH BRIGADE— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



BRIGADE ORDERS. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

In compliance with Division orders of this date, the 
brigade will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst., for 
the purpose of receiving the First Regiment of New York 
Volunteers. 

The line will he formed on the Battery at 10 o'clock, 
A. M., precisely. ^ 

By order of 

Brigadier General JOHN EWEN. 

, Brigade Major. 



FIRST REGIMENT— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



REGIMENTAL ORDER. 



New York, July 25, 1848. 

In compliance with Brigade orders, this regiment will 
parade fully uniformed, armed and equipped, on Thursday 
next, the 27th inst. 



109 

The reg-imental line will form on the Battery, the right 
on Whitf^hall street, at half past 9 o'clock, a. m. 

By order of 

JOHN STEWART, Colonel. 
IsjAAc 0. Hunt, Adjutant. 



SECOND REGIMENT— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



REGIMENTAL ORDER. 



New York, July 25, 1846. 

In pursuance of Division and Brigade orders of this date, 
this regiment will parade in full rmiform on Thursday, 
27th inst., at 9 o'clock, a. m. 

The regimental line will be formed in Mercer street, 
right on Broome street. 

By order of 

C. B. SPICER, 

Lieut. Col. Commanding. 



W. M. PosTLEY, Adjutant. 



110 



HEAD (iUAKTERS. 



THIUD REGOIEXT (hUZZARS) M. S. N. Y. 



New York, July 25, 1848. 

" General Orders, July 24, 1848," are hereby promul- 
g-ated to this command for its government. 

In compHance with Division and Brigade orders, this 
Regiment will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst., in 
concurrence with the arrangements made with the Corpo- 
ration of the city, for the purpose of receiving the First 
Regiment of NeW' York Vohmteers, upon theirt riumphant 
return from the battle fields of Mexico. 

The assemblee will be on the usual ground, at St. John's 
square, at half past 9 o'clock, a. m., of said day. 

By order of 

S. BROOKE POSTLEY, Colonel, 
Commanding Third Regiment 

(Huzzars) M. S. N. Y. 

C. D. Stiles, Adjutant. 
. Sergeant- Major. 



Ill 

FOURTH REGIMENT— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



New York, July 25, 1848. 
Okder No. 44. 

The foregoing' Division and Brigade orders are proniui- 
galed for the information and government of this regiment. 

In compliance therewith, this regiment will parade as 
cavalry and light artillery, on Thursday, the 27th instant. 
The line will he formed in White street, the right on 
Broadway, at 8 o'clock, a. m., precisely. Cavalry and 
drivers in dark, artillery in light pantaloons. 

Commissary General Stewart will furnish the ammuni- 
tion necessary for a national salute. 

Horsemen, and all acting as drivers, will report their 
horses at the Arsenal yard, at 7 o'clock, a. m. 

Quarter Master Alford will report to the Commissary 
General the number of pieces and ditto of harness required, 
at least one day prior to the parade, and will see that every 
piece is furnished with annnunition and proper equipments. 

By order of 

CHAS. YATES, Colonel. 

J AS. P. Pond, Adjutant. 

J. F. Smith, Sergeant -Major. 



112 



FIFTH REGIMENT— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



REGIMENTAL ORDERS. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

Pursuant lo Division and Brigade orders, this regiment 
will parade fully uniformed, armed and equipped, on 
Thursday, the 27th instant, for the purpose of receiving the 
Regiment of New York Volunteers on their return from 
Mexico. 

The regimental line will be formed in Broome street, the 
right on Broadway, at 9 o'clock, a. m., precisely, 

Company F will escort the colors to the ground. 

The Colonel gives notice that he will hear appeals from 
non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, from 
fines incurred at the above parade, at the drill room, over 
Centre market, on Monday, the 7th day of August, at 4 
o'clock, p. M. 

By order of 

ANDREW WARNER, Colonel. 
Samuel Coulter, Adjutant. 



113 

GOVERNOK'S GUARD— SIXTH REGIMENT. 



SECOND BRIGADE N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



Order No. 4, 



New York, July 24, 1848. 



In pnrsnance of Brig-ade orders, this regiment will pa- 
rade on Thursday morning next, the 27tli instant, fully 
uniformed, armed and equipped (white pants, and without 
knapsacks), for the purpose of receiving the First Regiment 
of New York Volunteers, just returned from the battle-fields 
of Mexico. 

The line will he formed in Varick street, opposite St. 
John's church, at half-past 8 o'clock, precisely. 

Edwin J. Mercer is hereby appointed adjutant of this 
regiment, and will be respected accordingly. 

Acting- Adjutant Dunham will be relieved from his duties 
as adjutant, after the parade of the 27th instant, with the 
thanks of the colonel, for the able and efficient manner he 
has discharged the duties of that office. 

By order of 

THOS. F. PEERS, Colonel. 
W. 0. Dunham, Acting-.^djutant 



114 
SEVENTH KEGIMEXT— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



REGIMENTAL ORDER. 



No. 13. 

New York, July 25, 1848. 

In compliance with Brigade orders, this day received, this 
regiment will parade, fully uniformed, armed and equipped 
(with white pants,) on Thursday next, the 27th instant, for 
the purpose of receiving the New York Volunteers, on their 
return from Mexico. 

The line will form in front of the City Hall, at half-past 
nine, a. m. 



By order of 
J. L. Morgan, Adjutant. 



Colonel BREMNER. 



EIGHTH REGIMENT— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



HEAD QUARTERS WASHINGTON GREYS. 

Order No. 10. 

New York, July 25, 1848. 
In compliance with Brigade orders of the 24th inst., this 
regiment will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst., to 



116 

join in the reception of the First Regiment New York 
State Volunteers, recently returned from their brilliant 
Mexican campaign. 

Capt. Varian will report with his troop to the Major 
General, at a quarter before ten o'clock, a. m., at his quar- 
ters, No. 110 Chambers street, for escort duty. 

The regimental line will be formed in the Park, right 
resting on Beekman street, at 9 o'clock, a. m., precisely. 

By order of 

Lieut. Col. WM. BORDEN. 

Jas. Henry Dyer, Acting Adjutant. 
Jno. V. Harriott, Serg't Major. 



HEAD QUARTERS. 
NINTH REGIMENT— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA. 



NATIONAL CADETS — ORDER NO. 2. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

In compliance with Division and Brigade orders, for the 
purpose of receiving the First Regiment of New York 
15 



116 

Volunteers, this regiment will parade, fully uniformed, 
armed and equipped (except knapsacks), and white pant- 
aloons, on the regimental parade ground, Broome street, 
right resting on Broadway, on Thursday the 27th July 
inst. 

The regimental line will be formed at 9 o'clock, a. m. 

The commandant of each company is directed, at each 
roll call on the day of parade, to read or cause to be read 
to his company the following notice, and also to have the 
same printed in his company order. 

The commanding officer of this regiment, in accord- 
ance with the statute in such case made and provided, gives 
notice that he will attend at Military Hall, No. 193 Bowery, 
in the city of New York, on Thursday the 3d day of Au- 
gust next, at 8 o'clock, p. m.. and will then and there hear 
all appeals that may be made to him, for the remission of 
any penalty incurred by any non-commissioned officer or 
private under his command. 

The resignation of Colonel Ebenezer Jessup has been 
accepted by the Brigadier General, and by brigade orders 
he is honorably discharged from the service. 

By order of 

B. CLINTON FERRIS, 

Lieut. Col. Commanding. 

J. Van Winkle, Adjutant 



117 



TENTH REGIMENT— N. Y. S. MILITIA. 



REGIMENTAL ORDERS. 



New York, July 25, 1848. 

In compliance with Division and Brigade orders of the 
24th inst., this regiment will parade, fully uniformed and 
equipped, with white pantaloons (and without knapsacks), 
on Thursday next, the 27th of July inst., for the purpose 
of receiving the First Regiment of New York Volunteers. 

The regimental line will be formed on Hanover square, 
at 9 o'clock and 30 minutes, a. m., precisely. 

The commander of the regiment gives notice, that he 
will attend at Military Hall, No. 193 Bowery, on Wednes- 
day, the 16th of August next, at 8 o'clock, p. m., and will 
then and there hear all appeals that may be made to him, 
for the remission of any penalty incurred by any non- 
commissioned officer or private of said companies. 

The captain of each company is directed to read or cause 
10 be read, at roll-call, the above notice to his company. 

By order of 

Col. WILLIAM HALSEY. 
James R. Dodge, Acting-Adjutant. 



118 

WASHINGTON GUARD. 
ELEVENTH REGIMENT— N. Y. STATE MILITIA. 



ORDERS NO. 13. 



Head Quarters, City of New York, ) 
July 25, 1848. ^ 

In compliance with the preceding Division and Brigade 
orders, this regiment will parade in full uniform, on Thurs- 
day, the 27th instant. 

The line will be formed at 9 o'clock, a. m., in Broome 
street, right on Crosby street. 

By order of 

CoL. ROBERT C. MORRIS. 

John P. Prall, Adjutant. 



HEAD QUARTERS— 12th REGIMENT— N. Y. S. M. 



REGIMENTAL ORDER NO. 4. 



New York, July 24, 1848. 

In pursuance of the foregoing Division and Brigade or- 
ders, this regiment will parade on Thursday next, the 27th 
instant. 



119 

The regimental line will be formed in Chambers street, 
right on Broadway, at 9 o'clock, a. m. 

The Court of Appeals, for the above parade, will be held 
at the Branch Hotel, No. 36 Bowery, on Friday, August 
4th, at 8 o'clock, p. m. 

By order of 

H. G. STEBBINS, Col. 
John M. Keeler, Adjutant. 



A vacancy having occurred in the Committee appointed 
on the part of the Board of Aldermen, in consequence of 
the lamented decease of the late Alderman Robert Swart- 
woul, Alderman Crolius was appointed by the Committee 
to fill the same. 

The arrangements being now fully completed, and the 
various sub-Committees having reported, 

Messrs. De Forest, Schultz and Miller were appointed a 
sub-Committee to prepare a programme of arrangements, 
for the proposed reception. 

The sub-Committee subsequently reported the following, 
which was adopted and published under the direction of 
I he Joint Committee : 



PROGRAMME OF ARRANGEMENTS 



RECEPTION 



FIRST REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, 



ON THEIR RETURN PROM MEXICO, 



MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEE 
APPOINTED FOR THAT PURPOSE. 



The Common Comicil will, at 8 o'clock, on Thursday 
morning, 27th inst., proceed in the steamboat Columbia, 
Captain Fuller, (which has been generously tendered for 
the occasion, by the proprietors of the People's Line,) to 
Fort Hamilton, where they will receive on board the First 
Regiment of New York Volunteers, and return with them 
to the city, landing at Castle Garden at about ten o'clock. 

On the approach of the steamboat to the Battery, and 
during the landing of the Volunteers, a salute will be fired 



121 

therefrom, under the direction of Brigadier General Mor- 
ris. They will then proceed into the Garden, where the 
Mayor will receive and welcome them to the city. 

The ceremonies of reception being concluded, the Vol- 
unteers will be received by the First Division New York 
State Militia, under the command of Major General Sand- 
ford, formed in line on the Battery, with the highest mili- 
tary honors. 

Immediately thereafter the line of military will break 
into column, and the procession will march in the follow- 
insT order : 



^c Jirst JBbision— j^Ictt) gork State ilTiUtia, 

UNDER COMMAND OF 

MAJOR GENERAL SANDFORD, 

CONSISTING OF 

THE FIRIST BICIC^ADE, 

COMMANDED BY 

BRIGADIER GENERAL STORMS, 

composed of the following regiments, viz ; 

First — Horse Artillery Col. Stewart. 

Second — Infantrv Col. Spicer. 

Third — Cavalry Col. Postley. 



122 
THE 8E€0]\D BRIGADE, 



COMMANDED BY 



BRIGADIER GENERAL MORRIS, 



composed of the following regiments, viz ; 

Fourth — Light Artillery Col. Yates. 

Fifth — Infantry Col. Warner. 

Sixth — Infantry Col. Peers. 

THE THIRD BRIGADE, 

COMMANDED BY 

BRIGADIER GENERAL HALL, 

COMPOSED of the FOLLOWING REGIMENTS, VIZ ; 

Seventh — Infantry Col. Bremner. 

Eighth — Infantry Col. Borden. 

Ninth — Infantry Col. Ferris. 

THE FOURTH BRIGADE, 

CO:»IMANDED BY 

BRIGADIER GENERAL EWEN, 

composed of the following regiments, viz ; 

Tenth — Infantry Col. Halsey. 

Eleventh — Infantry Col. Morris. 

Twelfth — Infantry Col. Stebbins. 



123 
B AIVD. 



<JI)£ Jirst liegimcut of ISim JJork lloluntcera, 

COMMANDED BY 

COL. WARD W. BURNETT, 

WITH THE FOLLOWING FIELD AND STAFF : 

Lieutenant Col. James C. Burnham, 
Major Garret Dyckman, 
Adjutant James S. McCabe, 
Commissary J. F. Hutton, 
Quarter-Ma-ster Israel Miller, 
Surgeon Mina B. Halstead, 

Sergeant-Major Patrick 0. Gorman, 
Quarter-Master Sergeant E. McCutcheon. 

and consisting of the following companies, viz : 

COMPANY A. 

CAPTAIN WILLIAM FORRY. 

COMPANY B. 

captain ALFRED W. TAYLOR. 

COMPANY C. 

captain GEORGE B. HALL. 

COMPANY D. 

CAPTAIN JAY P. TAYLOR. 
16 



124 

THE COLORS OF THE REGIMENT, 

In charge of several officers who were promoted for then' 

gallantry in hearing the same at the battles of 

Churubusco and Chapultepec. 

COMPANY E. 

CAPTAIN ROBERT A. CARTER. 

COMPANY F. 

CAPTAIN SAMUEL S. GALLAGHER. 

COMPANY G, 

CAPTAIN DANIEL E. HUNGERFORD. 

COMPANY H. 

CAPTAIN ADDISON FARNSWORTH. 

COMPANY I. 

CAPTAIN MORTON FAIRCHILD. 

COMPANY K. 

^CAPTAIN CHARLES H. INNES. 

CHATHAM GUARD. 

Military companies out of the city, and volunteer fire 
companies that wish to participate in the ceremonies of the 
reception, will be assigned a place therein, in the order in 
which they shall report themselves. 

The procession thus formed, will then proceed up Broad- 
way to Park row, through Park row to Chatham street; 
up Chatham street to East Broadway ; up East Broadway 



125 

to Grand street ; through Grand street to Broadway ; down 
Broadway to Chambers street ; through Chambers street to 
Greenwich street ; down Greenwich street to the Battery. 

When the head of the column arrives at the Battery, the 
mihtary will form into line, and the Volunteers will pass 
in front of the line into the Garden. 

After the return of the Volunteers to the Garden, they 
will be drawn up therein in close columns, when the Pre- 
sident of the Board of Aldermen, Morris Franklin, Esq., 
will present them with the medals ordered by the Common 
Council, (and which have been prepared under the direc- 
tion of the Joint Medal Committee, appointed for that pur- 
pose) for their bravery and gallantry evinced in Mexico, 
especially in the battles of Churubusco and Chapultepec, in 
which they were so conspicuously engaged. 

The presentation of the medals being concluded, the 
standard presented to the Regiment by the Corporation 
of the City of New York, immediately preceding their de- 
parture for Mexico, on which is emblazoned the coat-of- 
arms of the city, and which, after being triumphantly borne 
in the various battle in which the Regiment was engaged, 
was the first to fioat from the walls of Chapultepec, will be 
delivered by Col. Burnett, commander of the Regiment, to 
his Honor the Mayor, who will receive the same, as well 
as the other colors of the Regiment, in behalf of the city. 

The ceremonies of the day being thus concluded, the 
Volunteers will then proceed again on board of the steam- 
boat, and return to Fort Hamilton in company with the 
Conunon Council. 



126 

The proprietors of public buildings, and the masters and 
owners of vessels in port, are respectfully requested to dis- 
play ther flags during the day. 

The owners and drivers of all public and licensed car- 
riages and vehicles are directed to withdraw them from the 
streets through which the procession is to pass ; and the 
owners of private vehicles are requested to comply with the 
same. 

The Chief of Police is charged with the enforcement of 
the above order. 

By order of the Committee of Arrangements, 

WASHINGTON SMITH, 

T. R. DE FOREST, 

JAMES S. LIBBY, ' j 

CLARKSON CROLIUS, 

NIEL GRAY, i 

MORRIS FRANKLIN, President. ] 

Committee on the part of the Board of Aldermen, 

TIMOTHY R. HIBBARD, 
A. H. SCHULTZ, 
ROBERT P. GETTY, 
JEDEDIAH MILLER, 
JOSEPH JAMISON, 
WILSON SMALL, President. 

Committee on the part of the Board of Assistant Aldermen* 



127 



THE DAY 

Having arrived, in accordance with the arrangements, most 
of the members of the Common Council, accompanied by 
several officers attached to the military of the city, and also 
some belonging to the Regiment, as well as several mem- 
bers of the press, assembled on board of the steamboat 
Columbia, at the foot of Beach street, and within a few 
minutes after eight o'clock, the hour fixed for the departure, 
were on the way to the Fort. 

After stopping a short time at Governor's Island, for the 
purpose of taking on board the United States Band, sta- 
tioned there, the boat proceeded on her way and arrived at 
Fort Hamilton at about nine o'clock. 

Immediately thereafter, a procession was formed in the 
following order : 

BAND. 

COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 

MEMBEK.S OF THE COMMON COUNCIL. 

OFFICERS BELONGING TO THE MILITARY OF THE CITY, ALSO 
OF THE REGIMENT ON BOARD. 

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS. 

Which proceeded to the brow of the hill or bluff, where 
it was received by the Regiment, drawn up in line, with 
arms presented. 



128 

After a review, and the execution of several military 
man(Biivres which were performed with great precision, the 
Regiment broke into column, and being preceded by the 
band, and accompanied by the members of the Common 
Council and others, thence marched to the boat, and all 
being on board, were soon on tlieir way to the city. 

A substantial breakfast, under the direction of the sub- 
committee appointed for that purpose, had been prepared 
on board of the boat, to which the Volunteers were invited 
soon after the departure from Fort Hamilton. 

The boat soon neared the city, and swept past the Battery 
amid the discharge of cannon, and the cheering of the vast 
multitude of citizen soldiery and others, assembled there to 
greet the return of these men after their participation in 
some of the most brilliant triumphs of American valor. 

After continuing a short distance up the North river, she 
turned and proceeded towards the Garden pier, where she 
arrived at half-past ten o'clock, a. m. 

The members of the Common Council and others having 
proceeded from the boat into the Castle, the Volunteers 
were then landed, under a national salute, fired by the 
Fourth Light Artillery, Col. Yates, under the direction of 
Brigadier General Morris, and marched into the Garden, 
preceded by the band from Governor's Island, playing 
" Home, Sweet Home," where they were received by the 
immense gathering of citizens, with deafening and long- 
continued cheerinif. 



129 

The Regiment was then brought into close column im- 
mediately in front of the stage, on which were assembled 
his Honor the Mayor of the City, the Joint Committee of 
Arrangements, and the remaining members of the Common 
Council, wearing rosettes and badges commemorative and 
explanatory of the occasion. 

The word, "order arms" being obeyed with precision, 
the colors were brought in front, and the officers ordered in 
advance of their companies. 

When Alderman Franklin introduced to the officers and 
men of the Regiment, his Honor Mayor Havemeyer. 

The Mayor thereupon made the following impressive 
and eloquent 

ADDRESS TO THE REGIMENT : 

" Fellow-Citizens : 

In the name of the municipal authorities, and in 
behalf of the people whom they represent, I bid you a 
cordial welcome to the city. We receive you, returning to 
your homes, your friends and your kindred, from the scenes 
of your toils and sacrifices, and of your heroic achieve- 
ments, with proud satisfaction. 

" But little more that a year and a half ago, in obedience 
to the call of our common country, you left us, and within 
that period have shared all the perils and all the honors of 
the canipaiii in Mexico, from its commencement at Vera 
Cruz, until its close at the National Palace at the Capital. 



130 

" We have watclied you through all this rapid and brilliant 
career, with solicitude, and we may add, with satisfaction. 
We have seen you safely landing upon a hostile shore, in 
the face of an enemy protected by a castle hitherto consid- 
ered invincible ; an act, under attendant circumstances, ex- 
hibiting in your commander a remarkable example of mili- 
tary skill, and in you, our citizen soldiers, the order and 
discipline of veterans. 

" We have followed you after the fall of the Castle of San 
Juan d'Ulloa, marching towards the enemy's capital, under 
the immediate command of the gallant Shields ; sharing 
in the brilliant victory on the heights of Cerro Gordo, and 
foremost in the j)ursuit of the retreating foe. At Contreras 
holding successfully the less conspicuous, but important 
position assigned to you. At Churubusco, bearing a con- 
spicuous part in that desperate and fatal conflict, and head- 
ing the first charge, with the loss of large numbers of your 
comrades. 

" We have seen you crowning your honors by your 
achievements in the final battle before the walls of Mexico, 
foremost in struggling up the steep ascents of Chapultepec, 
to storm the last strong hold of the foe, and throwing to 
the breeze from his proud castle, first of all, the American 
flags which you received from the authorities of our city, 
and an association of our citizens, and which, with their 
staffs broken and shattered, and folds torn, you now bring 
back covered with glory, borne and commanded by the 
same brave men who carried them triumphantly through 
the storms of battle, from the heights of Cerro Gordo to the 
Halls of the Montezumas. 

" We have seen your ranks diminished by the death and dis- 
ease of many of your brave comrades. We have lamented 



131 

with you the fall of Chandler, at Churubiisco; Baxter, Pear- 
son and Van Olinda, at Chapnltepec ; of Barclay and Galla- 
gher, and many others, if less conspicuous, not less brave, 
or less worthy. 



" You return to us little more than one third of your orj. 
ginal number. More than as many as now compose your 
gallant corps have perished in battle, or by disease, and 
most of the others have preceded you, disabled by wounds 
or by sickness. Tlie small number of you who have sur- 
vived the chances of the battle field, and the still greater 
perils of the climate, and the condition in which you re- 
turn ; the wounds of some ; the disabled and wasted forms 
of others; those torn banners, too, tell more strongly than 
words, the desperate nature of the service in which you 
have been engaged. None but you can fully know the 
hardships you have endured — none but you can so well 
appreciate the blessings of the peace which has crowned 
your victories. 

" The events of the war, now happily past, in which you 
you have borne so conspicuous a part, have elevated the 
character of our country for military capacity and resources, 
by showing in your example, the readiness with which its 
citizens assume and fulfill, successfully, all the responsibi- 
lities of disciplined soldiers. In this respect, not less than 
in the renown of our arms, have your sufferings and sacri- 
fices conferred great and lasting benefits upon the country, 
and they will confer still greater, if, by your experience, 
they shall teach us properly to estimate the blessings of 
peace. 

17 



132 

"In returning to the associations of civil life, you will 
carrv with you the respect and favor of the communities 
of wliich you arc members, and your ambition need aim no 
higher than to preserve in the walks of civil life the senti- 
ments which your bravery in the field has inspired. 

" Once more, as the organ of the public authorities, I ten- 
der to you a most cordial welcome, — a w^elcome which I 
am sure our citizens are most anxiously waiting to repeat 
for themselves." 

A burst of applause, repeated and continued for some 
time, from those of our citizens assembled within the Castle, 
evidenced their approval of the welcome extended by his 
Honor the Mayor, in behalf of the city, to the brave men 
composing the regiment. After the same had subsided, 

Colonel Burnett replied to the address as follows : 

" Sir : — We are deeply and gratefully impressed with the 
evidence of kindness and approbation evinced by the glo- 
rious and most gratifying reception which the city of New 
York has this day given to us. The flattering manner in 
which you have been pleased to allude to the conduct of 
the regiment, awakens the most agreeable emotions, and 
yields the highest degree of satisfaction; and we shall 
ever feel grateful to our fellow-citizens for this most cor- 
dial welcome. 

" To know that the conduct of the regiment, throughout 
the long and arduous campaign just closed, has secured 
the approbation of the people of the great state, which it 
had the honor to represent, affords us no ordinary gratifi- 



133 

cation. It is the hope of seciiring^ it that cheers the soldier 
in the performance of the most difficult duty, and when 
attained, constitutes his highest reward. 

" Our joy on this occasion, however, is diminished hy the 
sad reflection that many of our companions who left home 
with us a brief period since, with high hopes, and an 
honorable ambition to serve their country, are not now 
with us to participate in your generous reception, and to 
share with us your distinguished honors. Unfortunately, 
many have yielded up their lives in patriotic devotion to 
their country, and all that is left is the memory of their 
gallant deeds. 

" Of the conduct of the regiment, it does not become us 
to speak. Its acts are now before the country, and have 
become a part of its history ; and if they have been sucii 
as to secure the approbation of the state, which sent us to 
the field, and of the Union, our highest ambition will have 
been attained. We can only say, that we endeavored to 
do our duty, and to sustain as far as it was in our power, 
the honor of the country and of the Empire State. How 
far we have succeeded we leave to others to determine, 
satisfied that our countrymen will do us justice. 

"As this will be the last occasion on which we shall thus 
meet, I cannot omit the opportunity of presenting to you, 
the officers and men, and bearing testimony to their devo- 
tion to the state, and of commending them to the kind 
consideration and gratitude of the people. 

" In conclusion, allow me to return our sincere thanks foj- 
your cordial welcome, and to assure you, and the citizens 



n4 

of New York, tbat this occasion will long be remembered, j 
and reverted to as a proud event." 

Colonel Burnett was repeatedly cheered by those pre- ^ 
sent during the delivery of the reply, as well as at its 
conclusion. 

The regiment then reformed, and being preceded by his 
Honor the Mayor, and the members of the Common Coun- 
fcil, marched to the 



BATTERY, 

and thence along the line of military, under command of 
Major General Sandford. 

Its reception here was beyond description. The enthu- 
siasm of the soldiery, as this brave but shattered regiment 
passed along their lines, overcame the restraint of military 
discipline, and gave vent in loud and long-continued 
cheering, to their admiration of its gallantry upon the 
bloody but victorious fields of Mexico. 

The military soon afterwards broke into column, and 
took up their line of march as an escort to the Volunteers ; 
the van of the 

PROCESSION 

being led by the "Tiger Guards,'' of Brooklyn, and the 
rear brought up by the " Chatham Guards'- of this city. 



135 

The procession then moved up Broadway to Park row, 
throtig^h Park row and Chatham street to East Broadway ; 
up East Broadway to Grand street ; through Grand street 
to Broadway ; down Broadway to Chambers street ; through 
Chambers to Greenwich street, thence down Greenwich 
street to the Battery, as laid down in the Programme of 
Arrangements for the day. 

When tlie head of the procession arrived at the Battery, 
it hahed, the military formed into line, with arms pre- 
sented, and the Volunteers, under the immediate escort of 
the " City Guard," marched past them into the Battery, 
and from thence again into the interior of Castle Garden. 

The reception that these gallant and patriotic men 
received as they marched through the various streets, was 
all that the most sanguine heart of them could have de- 
sired. E\'«rywhere, from their entrance into Broadway 
from the Battery, until their return to the Garden, the 
liveliest and most enthusiastic demonstrations of joy at 
their return, and of admiration of their bravery, was exhi- 
bited on the part of the thousands of inhabitants and 
strangers that densely crowded the' streets, filled the win- 
dows and balconies, and lined the tops of the houses and 
public buildings along the route of the procession. 

After the volunteers had returned to 
CASTLE GARDEN, 

They formed into close column in front of the stage, which 
was occupied by his Honor the Mayor, the Committee of 
Armngements nnd the remaining moinhers of the Com- 



136 

moD Council, together with Major General Sandford and 
his staff, and several other distingnished officers connected 
with the military of ihe city, as well as a number of emi- 
nent ci'.izens and strangers. The other parts of the build- 
ing were denselv crowded by the military and other 
citizens. 

The presentation of the 

COLORS 

of the regiment to the city, being the next order of ar- 
rangement, .the national and regimental ones, together 
with two small ones, used as guide colors, were brought in 
advance, borne by the same officers, who had carried them 
so gallantly in Mexico, and were presented in behalf of 
the regiment, by 

COLONEL BURNETT, 
Who, on the occasion, delivered the following address : 

"In the month of January, 1847, the New York Regi- 
ment, numbering about eight hundred men, left this city, 
under my command, to serve during the war with Mexico. 

" Before our departure, the Corporation of the city of 
New York, gave us a stand of colors, and a society of pa- 
triotic citizens, the Texas and Oregon Association, a na- 
tional flag. These were presented to the regiment, for- 
mally, at the Island of Lobos, in Mexico, where a solemn 
oath was taken by every officer and soldier, that no enemy 
should capture them while life was spared to defend them. 



137 

" The close of the war, and the disbanding of the regi- 
ment, have induced us to request the authorities of the city 
to take into their charge those sacred emblems of oui State 
and Nation, that they may be preserved as the eloquent, 
though silent relics, of the shattered remnants of the regi- 
ment that pledged and gave, in defending them, their 
hearts' blood and their lives. 

"■ The devotion and reverence of a soldier for his colors 
can scarcely be realized by one who has not fought under 
them in a foreign land. The stars and stripes reminded 
us of our duty to the Union, and the arms of the city and 
state, with the motto " Excelsior," impelled us to emulate 
the gallant deeds of the army, who had already covered 
themselves with imperishable glory. 

" These colors were the companions of the regiment at 
Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapul- 
tepec, the Garde de Bolin, and upon the Grand Plaza of 
the city of Mexico. From the time of their reception at 
Lobos Island to this day, they have been revered and 
honored as the life and soul of that " morale " which gives 
unity and power to a regiment in the hour of battle. 
They were ever in the advance in the hands of those who 
bear them now, and always our beacon light to victory. 
The wounded and the dying would look to them in their 
last moments, and smile to see them planted in triumph 
upon the works of the enemy, amidst the cheers of the 
living. 

" Our oath to preserve them has been fulfilled. They are 
now consigned to your charge — peace is declared, and 
may God, in his infinite mercy, grant it may be a lasting 



138 

one with all the world. But should our country again 
require our services, she will find us ever ready to rally 
under her banners, and to serve lier with never-dying zeal 
and devotion." 

The Mayor replied as follows : 

" On behalf of the municipal authorities, I receive with 
pride and gratification these flags, one of which was their 
gift; the other, that of an association of our citizens, and 
which you now return (o the city. 

" When they were presented to you, you promised that 
they should never be surrendered to an enemy or dis- 
graced, and the noble manner in which that pledge has 
been redeemed, has proved you worthy of the confidence 
which was reposed in your gallantry and patriotism. 

" When you first received them, although their lustre was 
untarnished, they had but little value, except that of their 
beautiful texture : they come back to us dimmed with the 
smoke and dust of battle, with their staffs shattered and 
their folds rent ; but consecrated by your toils and suffer- 
ings to imperishable renown. 

" They will be placed m the archives of our city, as a 
memento to our citizens of your services to your country, 
and they will transmit the story of your sacrifices and 
achievments to future generations." 

The beautiful blue-silken flag presented to the regi- 
ment in the city of Mexico, by Major General Scott, and 
on which the United States coat-of-arms and the name of 
the regiment are richly embroidered, was next pre- 
sented by 



139 



Lieutenant Colonel James C. Burnham, as follows : 
" Gentlemen : 

It gives me great pleasure to present to you the flag pre- 
sented to the regiment, by General Scott, after the battle 
at the city of Mexico. It was made by the hands of the 
ladies of Mexico, and now, with the battered standard of 
the regiment, we present it to you." 

The Mayor, in response, said : 

" I accept likewise, with great satisfaction, this magnifi- 
cent banner, a beautiful specimen of the handiwork of 
Mexican ladies, and presented to you by General Scott, as 
a testimonial of his approbation of your gallant conduct, 
to be placed side by side with the others which I have re- 
ceived. 

" Representing the governments of the Union and the 
State, and associated as they will hereafter be, may they 
be emblematical of the harmony and fraternity which should 
ever characterize the relations of the State with the Union, 
and of the Union with the other Republics of the American 
continent." 

THE COLORS AND FLAG 

Having been taken charge of by the Committee, were sub- 
sequently conveyed by a portion of them, under the escort 
ofthe ' City Guard," to the City Hall. 
18 



f 



140 

After the conclusion of the ceremonies of the presentation 
and reception of the colors and tlag of the regiment, the 

MEDALS, 

Ordered by the Common Council, and prepared under the 
direction of the Joint Committee appointed for that pur- 
pose, were then presented to the officers and men of the 
regiment, by Morris Franklin, Esq., President of the 
Board of Aldermen. 

The following letter received by the Committee, from 

MAJOR GENERAL SCOTT, 

in reply to the invitation dispatched to him to participate 
in the ceremonies of the reception, was afterwards read by 
Alderman Franklin : 

'' RocKAWAY, July 26, 1S4S. 
Gentlemen : 

" I have, at this moment, the honor to receive (by a spe- 
cial messenger) your note of yesterday, inviting me on the 
part of the Common Council, to be present to-morrow, at 
the reception of the First Regiment of N. Y. Volunteers. 

" Under this note and other circumstances, it would be as 
much a duty as a pleasure to comply with the tlattering 
invitation, because it would be in my power, within the 
limits of truth, to say much of that gallant and patriotic 



141 

corps, which, perliaps, might not he said with equal pro- 
priety by anotlier than their late Chief Commander, on the 
fields which they have done so much to render glorious ; 
but I returned home very low in health, and have only 
wit Inn a few davs been tiattered with a return of strenffth. 
and I am certain that the exertion and excitement conse- 
quent on a meeting with the Conimon Council and my late 
brothers-in-arms, would throw me back in my recovery for 
many months, if not forever. 

In haste, I have the honor to remain, 

With the highest respect, 

Your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Messrs. Washington Smith, 

and others, Conmiittee, &c." 

The Volunteers exhibited the liveliest interest during the 
reading of this letter from their beloved and distinguished 
late Chief Commander ; and their enthusiastic and soul- 
stirring cheering at the mention of his name, showed the 
depth of their affection and veneration for him who had 
led them on from victory to victory, from Vera Cruz to the 
ancient capitol of tiie Montezumas. 

The Regiment then re-formed, and in company with the 
Committee of Arrangements, members of tlie Couimon 
Council, and several distinguished military officers and cit- 
izens, embarked at about six o'clock, p. m., on board of the 
" Columbia," then lying at the Castle pier, to 

RETURN TO FORT HAMILTON. 



142 

An excellent lunch had been prepared for them on board 
of the boat, of which they partook during- the trip. 

Arrived at Fort Hamilton, the Volunteers went onshore, 
where they formed, and thence marched, under the escort 
of the members of the Common Council, Major General 
Snndford and staff, and several other distinguished military 
oflfrcers and citizens who accompanied them in the boat, to 
their camp, where leave was taken of them. 

The Common Council and others then returned to the 
boat, and were soon on their way to the city, w^here they 
arrived, and were landed at the foot of Beach street, at 
cibout 8 o'clock, A. M. 

Your Committee have thus reported a history of their 
proceedings, and of the ceremonies on the occasion of the 
reception of the brave and patriotic officers and men com- 
posing the gallant but shattered First Regiment of New 
York Volunteers, on their return from Mexico. 

The event was one not soon to be forgotten. From the 
time of the landing of the Volunteers at Castle Garden pier, 
until their departure therefrom on their return to their 
camp, at Fort Hamilton, the warmest and most enthusiastic 
demonstrations of rejoicing met them at every ponit at 
which they made their appearance — in the Garden, on the 
occasion of their reception, there by the municipal author- 
ities — on the Battery, by the military, as they passed along 
their lines — on the route of the procession, by the thousands 



143 

of all ages, sexes and conditions, that lined the streets and 
doorways, and filled the windows, balconies and house- 
tops ; — again, at the Garden, on the occasion of the pre- 
sentation to the city of the Colors which they had sustain- 
ed with such gallantry — on the delivery to them of the 
Medals, ordered by the Common Council — and on their 
departure to return to their camp at Fort Hamilton. 

It was a welcome, sincere and cordial — a reception bril- 
liant and triumphant, which the citizens of New York, 
military, civic and others, this day extended and accorded 
to tlie brave men who had participated in the privations 
and sufferings, and shared in the glories and triumphs of that 
brilliant campaign, which has shed such lustre and cast 
such renown upon the American arms. At the landing 
and at the bombardment of Vera Cruz — the victory of Cerro 
Gordo — in the capture at Contreras — the route at Churu- 
busco — the storming of Chapultepec — at the Garde de Bolin 
— who had stood upon the Grand Plaza of the city of Mex- 
ico, and watched how proudly floated the stars and stipes 
of their beloved country from its ancient halls and palaces 
— placed there by the victories of the army of which they 
formed so distinguished a part. 

Companies E, Captain Robert A. Carter, and H, Captain 
A. Farnsworth, having been discharged and mustered out 
of service previous to the day of (he reception, did not par- 
ticipate in its ceremonies. 

Your Committee would take the opportunity of tendering 
their thanks to Major General Sandford, Brigadier Generals 
Storms, Morris, Hall and Ewen, and to the military in 
general, for the manner in which they seconded the ar- 
ranffements of the Committee. 



L 



144 

To the proprietors of tlie People's Line of steamboats, 
for their kind and generous tender of the use of the 
" Columbia," for the purposes of the Committee on the day 
of the reception. 

To Captain William A. Fuller, commander of the 
" Columbia,''' for his gentlemanly deportment and unre- 
mitting attention to the Common Council and their guests. 

To Messrs. French & Heiser, lessees of Castle Garden, 
for the generous use of the Garden on the occasion. 

To George W. Matsell, Esquire, Chief of Police, for his 
excellent order of Police arrangements, and to his aids, and I 
the Police generally, for the efficient manner in which the 
same were carried out. 

And to all others who in any way aided the Committee 
in carrying out their arrangements. 

The preamble and resolutions under which the Commit- 
tee acted, referred to a celebration at the same time, of the 
restoration of the blessings of peace between our own and 
the sister republic of Mexico. 

This was happily combined in the ceremonies of the oc- 
casion of the welcome and reception of the Volunteers, as 
while our citizens exhibited their demonstations, warm and 
enthusiastic, of joy at their return and of admiration of 
their bravery, they, at the same time rejoiced in the return 
of the blessings of peace, which the gallant and heroic 
conduct of the American army, and of which the Regi- 
ment formed so distinguished a portion, Wc£? mainly in- 
strumental in procuring. 



145 



Your Committee also rejoice with their fellow-citizens 
in the return of those brave officers and men from the 
scenes of their toils and sufferings, and of their glories and 
triumphs, to their country and their homes, as well as in 
the restoration of the blessings of peace between our own 
and the Mexican nation. May it never be broken. But 
if it should be, either with her or with any other nation or 
people, the gallant conduct of the officers and men of the 
First Regiment of New York Volunteers upon the fields of 
Mexico — which we have this day so much honored — fully 
warrant us in tiie assurance that the sons of New York, if 
called upon again, will be ever ready to fight the battles 
of their country, whether on a foreign soil, or on their own 
repelling a foreign foe, and that where " the fight is thick- 
est, and the fire is hottest," there will they be found cover- 
ing both themselves and their country, as at Churubusco 
and Chapultepec, with imperishable glory. 



WASHINGTON SMITH, 
T. R. DE FOREST, 
JAMES S. LIBBY, 
CLARKSON CROLIUS, 
NIEL GRAY, 
MORRIS FRANKLIN, 

President, 



Committee on the part 
"■ of the 

Board of Aldermen. 



TIMOTHY R. HIBBARD, 
A. H. SCHULTZ, 
ROBERT P. GETTY, 
JEDEDIAH MILLER, 
JOSEPH JAMISON, 
WILSON SMALL, 

President. 



Committee on the part 
r of the Board of 
Assistant Aldermen. 



3h77-7 



JN 



